Using push notifications to trigger an announcing UE to update location info in LTE direct

ABSTRACT

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus receives, from a second UE, a first signal including a first expression code associated with the second UE, and determines at least a second expression code using the first expression code, the at least a second expression code associated with the second UE.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/052,419, entitled “USING PUSH NOTIFICATIONS TO TRIGGER ANANNOUNCING UE TO UPDATE LOCATION INFO IN LTE DIRECT” and filed on Sep.18, 2014, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, andmore particularly, to using push notifications to trigger an announcinguser equipment (UE) to update location info in LTE Direct.

Background

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide varioustelecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employmultiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication withmultiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth,transmit power). Examples of such multiple-access technologies includecode division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multipleaccess (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA)systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems,single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, andtime division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA)systems.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in varioustelecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enablesdifferent wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national,regional, and even global level. An example of an emergingtelecommunication standard is Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE is a set ofenhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)mobile standard promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP). LTE is designed to better support mobile broadband Internetaccess by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improvingservices, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with otheropen standards using OFDMA on the downlink (DL), SC-FDMA on the uplink(UL), and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology.However, as the demand for mobile broadband access continues toincrease, there exists a need for further improvements in LTEtechnology. Preferably, these improvements should be applicable to othermulti-access technologies and the telecommunication standards thatemploy these technologies.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer program product,and an apparatus are provided. For example, the apparatus may be anetwork device. In an aspect, the method performed by the network deviceincludes receiving, from a first user equipment (UE), a request forinformation associated with a discovered second UE, the informationcomprising location information associated with the second UE,determining whether the first UE is authorized to receive the locationinformation, and sending a message configured to initiate reporting ofthe location information by the second UE based on the determination.

In an aspect, the request for the location information is received in amatch report message from the first UE.

In an aspect, the method further includes receiving the locationinformation from a second network device or from the second UE, andsending the location information to the first UE.

In an aspect, the location information is sent to the first UE in amatch report acknowledgment message.

In an aspect, the location information received from the second UE isincluded in metadata associated with the second UE.

In an aspect, the method further includes sending, to the first UE, amessage comprising a location-carrying code to be announced by thesecond UE along with the location information, or a security key toenable determination of the location information to be announced by thesecond UE.

In an aspect, the network device includes means for receiving, from afirst UE, a request for information associated with a discovered secondUE, the information comprising location information associated with thesecond UE, means for determining whether the first UE is authorized toreceive the location information, and means for sending a messageconfigured to initiate reporting of the location information by thesecond UE based on the determination.

In an aspect, the request for the location information is received in amatch report message from the first UE.

In an aspect, the network device further includes means for receivingthe location information from a second network device or from the secondUE, and means for sending the location information to the first UE.

In an aspect, the location information is sent to the first UE in amatch report acknowledgment message.

In an aspect, the location information received from the second UE isincluded in metadata associated with the second UE.

In an aspect, the network device further includes means for sending, tothe first UE, a message comprising a location-carrying code to beannounced by the second UE along with the location information, or asecurity key to enable determination of the location information to beannounced by the second UE.

In an aspect, the network device includes a memory and at least oneprocessor coupled to the memory and configured to receive, from a firstUE, a request for information associated with a discovered second UE,the information comprising location information associated with thesecond UE, determine whether the first UE is authorized to receive thelocation information, and send a message configured to initiatereporting of the location information by the second UE based on thedetermination.

In an aspect, the request for the location information is received in amatch report message from the first UE.

In an aspect, the at least one processor further configured to receivethe location information from a second network device or from the secondUE, and send the location information to the first UE.

In an aspect, the location information is sent to the first UE in amatch report acknowledgment message.

In an aspect, the location information received from the second UE isincluded in metadata associated with the second UE.

In an aspect, the at least one processor further configured to send, tothe first UE, a message comprising a location-carrying code to beannounced by the second UE along with the location information, or asecurity key to enable determination of the location information to beannounced by the second UE.

In an aspect, a computer program product stored on a computer-readablemedium includes code that when executed on at least one processorperforms the steps of receiving, from a first user equipment (UE), arequest for information associated with a discovered second UE, theinformation comprising location information associated with the secondUE, determining whether the first UE is authorized to receive thelocation information, sending a message configured to initiate reportingof the location information by the second UE based on the determination.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer program product,and an apparatus are provided. For example, the apparatus may be a firstUE. In an aspect, the method performed by the first UE includesdiscovering a second UE through a proximity service (ProSe) discovery,Bluetooth Low-Energy (BTLE) discovery, or Wi-Fi Alliance Neighbor-awareNetworking (WFA NAN) discovery, sending, to a network device, a requestfor location information associated with the second UE, and receivingthe location information when the first UE is authorized to receive thelocation information.

In an aspect, the request for the location information is sent to thenetwork device in a match report message.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the networkdevice in a match report acknowledgment message.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the second UE ina broadcast message. In such aspect, the method further includesreceiving, from the network device, a message comprising alocation-carrying code to be announced by the second UE along with thelocation information, and processing the broadcast message using thelocation-carrying code.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the second UE ina broadcast message, the location information being protected with asecurity key. In such aspect, the method further includes receiving,from the network device, a message comprising the security key, andprocessing the broadcast message announced by the second UE using thesecurity key to determine the location information.

In an aspect, the network device is a ProSe function server.

In an aspect, the first UE includes means for discovering a second UEthrough a ProSe discovery, BTLE discovery, or WFA NAN discovery, meansfor sending, to a network device, a request for location informationassociated with the second UE, and means for receiving the locationinformation when the first UE is authorized to receive the locationinformation.

In an aspect, the request for the location information is sent to thenetwork device in a match report message.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the networkdevice in a match report acknowledgment message.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the second UE ina broadcast message. In such aspect, the first UE further includes meansfor receiving, from the network device, a message comprising alocation-carrying code to be announced by the second UE along with thelocation information, and means for processing the broadcast messageusing the location-carrying code.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the second UE ina broadcast message, the location information being protected with asecurity key. In such aspect, the first UE further includes means forreceiving, from the network device, a message comprising the securitykey, and means for processing the broadcast message announced by thesecond UE using the security key to determine the location information.

In an aspect, the network device is a proximity services (ProSe)function server.

In an aspect, a first UE includes a memory and at least one processorcoupled to the memory and configured to discover a second UE through aProSe discovery, BTLE discovery, or WFA NAN discovery, send, to anetwork device, a request for location information associated with thesecond UE, and receive the location information when the first UE isauthorized to receive the location information.

In an aspect, the request for the location information is sent to thenetwork device in a match report message.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the networkdevice in a match report acknowledgment message.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the second UE ina broadcast message. In such aspect, the at least one processor isfurther configured to receive, from the network device, a messagecomprising a location-carrying code to be announced by the second UEalong with the location information, and process the broadcast messageusing the location-carrying code.

In an aspect, the location information is received from the second UE ina broadcast message, the location information being protected with asecurity key. In such aspect, the at least one processor furtherconfigured to receive, from the network device, a message comprising thesecurity key, and process the broadcast message announced by the secondUE using the security key to determine the location information.

In an aspect, the network device is a proximity services (ProSe)function server.

In an aspect, a computer program product stored on a computer-readablemedium includes code that when executed on at least one processorperforms the steps of discovering a second UE through a ProSe discovery,BTLE discovery, or WFA NAN discovery, sending, to a network device, arequest for location information associated with the second UE,receiving the location information when the first UE is authorized toreceive the location information.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer program product,and an apparatus are provided. For example, the apparatus may be a firstUE. In an aspect, the method performed by the first UE includesreceiving, from a second UE, a first signal comprising a firstexpression code associated with the second UE, determining at least asecond expression code using the first expression code, the at least asecond expression code associated with the second UE.

In an aspect, determining the at least a second expression codecomprises receiving, from the second UE, a second signal comprising afirst prefix and the at least a second expression code, applying afunction to the first expression code to generate a second prefix,comparing the second prefix to the first prefix, and determining the atleast a second expression code in the second signal when the secondprefix matches the first prefix.

In an aspect, the determining the at least a second expression codeincludes sending the first expression code to a network device, andreceiving the at least a second expression code associated with thesecond UE from the network device.

In an aspect, the first signal including the first expression code isreceived in a first discovery resource and the second signal comprisingthe at least a second expression code is received in a second discoveryresource, wherein the first discovery resource is independent of thesecond discovery resource.

In an aspect, the function is a hash function.

In an aspect, the first expression code is sent to the network device ina match report message.

In an aspect, the network device is a ProSe Function.

In an aspect, at least one of the first expression code and the at leasta second expression code corresponds to a service of the second UE or anapplication of the second UE.

In an aspect, the first UE includes means for receiving, from a secondUE, a first signal comprising a first expression code associated withthe second UE, and means for determining at least a second expressioncode using the first expression code, the at least a second expressioncode associated with the second UE.

In an aspect, the means for determining the at least a second expressioncode is configured to receive, from the second UE, a second signalcomprising a first prefix and the at least a second expression code,apply a function to the first expression code to generate a secondprefix, compare the second prefix to the first prefix, and determine theat least a second expression code in the second signal when the secondprefix matches the first prefix.

In an aspect, the means for determining the at least a second expressioncode is configured to send the first expression code to a networkdevice, and receive the at least a second expression code associatedwith the second UE from the network device.

In an aspect, the first signal including the first expression code isreceived in a first discovery resource and the second signal comprisingthe at least a second expression code is received in a second discoveryresource, wherein the first discovery resource is independent of thesecond discovery resource.

In an aspect, the function is a hash function.

In an aspect, the first expression code is sent to the network device ina match report message.

In an aspect, the network device is a ProSe Function.

In an aspect, at least one of the first expression code and the at leasta second expression code corresponds to a service of the second UE or anapplication of the second UE.

In an aspect, the first UE includes a memory and at least one processorcoupled to the memory and configured to receive, from a second UE, afirst signal comprising a first expression code associated with thesecond UE, and determine at least a second expression code using thefirst expression code, the at least a second expression code associatedwith the second UE.

In an aspect, the at least one processor determines the at least asecond expression code by receiving, from the second UE, a second signalcomprising a first prefix and the at least a second expression code,applying a function to the first expression code to generate a secondprefix, comparing the second prefix to the first prefix, determining theat least a second expression code in the second signal when the secondprefix matches the first prefix.

In an aspect, the at least one processor determines the at least asecond expression code by sending the first expression code to a networkdevice, and receiving the at least a second expression code associatedwith the second UE from the network device.

In an aspect, the first signal including the first expression code isreceived in a first discovery resource and the second signal comprisingthe at least a second expression code is received in a second discoveryresource, wherein the first discovery resource is independent of thesecond discovery resource.

In an aspect, the function is a hash function.

In an aspect, the first expression code is sent to the network device ina match report message.

In an aspect, the network device is a ProSe Function.

In an aspect, at least one of the first expression code and the at leasta second expression code corresponds to a service of the second UE or anapplication of the second UE.

In an aspect, a computer program product stored on a computer-readablemedium comprises code that when executed on at least one processorperforms the steps of receiving, at a first UE from a second UE, a firstsignal comprising a first expression code associated with the second UE,and determining at least a second expression code using the firstexpression code, the at least a second expression code associated withthe second UE.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer program product,and an apparatus are provided. For example, the apparatus may be anetwork device. In an aspect, the method performed by the network deviceincludes receiving a first expression code from a first UE, the firstexpression code associated with a second UE, identifying at least asecond expression code using the first expression code, the at least asecond expression code associated with the second UE, sending, to thefirst UE, the at least a second expression code associated with thesecond UE.

In an aspect, the method further includes determining metadataassociated with the first expression code, and sending the determinedmetadata to the first UE.

In an aspect, the first expression code is received in a match reportmessage from the first UE.

In an aspect, the network device is a ProSe Function.

In an aspect, the network device includes means for receiving a firstexpression code from a first UE, the first expression code associatedwith a second UE, means for identifying at least a second expressioncode using the first expression code, the at least a second expressioncode associated with the second UE, means for sending, to the first UE,the at least a second expression code associated with the second UE.

In an aspect, the network device includes means for determining metadataassociated with the first expression code, and means for sending thedetermined metadata to the first UE.

In an aspect, first expression code is received in a match reportmessage from the first UE.

In an aspect, the network device is a ProSe Function.

In an aspect, the network device includes a memory, and at least oneprocessor coupled to the memory and configured to receive a firstexpression code from a first UE, the first expression code associatedwith a second UE, identify at least a second expression code using thefirst expression code, the at least a second expression code associatedwith the second UE, and send, to the first UE, the at least a secondexpression code associated with the second UE.

In an aspect, the at least one processor is further configured todetermine metadata associated with the first expression code, and sendthe determined metadata to the first UE.

In an aspect, the first expression code is received in a match reportmessage from the first UE.

In an aspect, the network device is a ProSe Function.

In an aspect, a computer program product stored on a computer-readablemedium includes code that when executed on at least one processorperforms the steps of receiving a first expression code from a firstuser equipment (UE), the first expression code associated with a secondUE, identifying at least a second expression code using the firstexpression code, the at least a second expression code associated withthe second UE; and sending, to the first UE, the at least a secondexpression code associated with the second UE.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer program product,and an apparatus are provided. For example, the apparatus may be anannouncing UE. In an aspect, the method performed by the announcing UEincludes determining a first location of the announcing UE when theannouncing UE is stationary, transmitting a first signal comprising afirst expression code, the first expression code associated with firstmetadata stored in a server, the first metadata indicating the firstlocation, determining a second location of the announcing UE when theannouncing UE is moving, updating the first metadata stored in theserver with second metadata, transmitting a second signal comprising asecond expression code, the second expression code associated with thesecond metadata, transmitting a third signal comprising a thirdexpression code, the third expression code indicating the secondlocation, wherein the second metadata is configured to enable decodingof the third expression code.

In an aspect, the method further includes determining a third locationof the announcing UE when the announcing UE is no longer moving,updating the second metadata stored in the server with third metadata,the third metadata indicating the third location, and transmitting afourth signal comprising a fourth expression code, the fourth expressioncode associated with the third metadata.

In an aspect, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourthexpression codes comprises a ProSe Expression Code that corresponds to aProSe Application Name.

In an aspect, at least one of the first metadata indicating the firstlocation or the third expression code indicating the second locationcomprises geographic coordinates.

In an aspect, the third expression code comprises a private expression,and wherein the second metadata comprises at least one of a code and keyinformation configured to enable matching and decoding of the privateexpression.

In an aspect, the announcing UE includes means for determining a firstlocation of the announcing UE when the announcing UE is stationary,means for transmitting a first signal comprising a first expressioncode, the first expression code associated with first metadata stored ina server, the first metadata indicating the first location, means fordetermining a second location of the announcing UE when the announcingUE is moving, means for updating the first metadata stored in the serverwith second metadata, means for transmitting a second signal comprisinga second expression code, the second expression code associated with thesecond metadata, and means for transmitting a third signal comprising athird expression code, the third expression code indicating the secondlocation, wherein the second metadata is configured to enable decodingof the third expression code.

In an aspect, the announcing UE further includes means for determining athird location of the announcing UE when the announcing UE is no longermoving, means for updating the second metadata stored in the server withthird metadata, the third metadata indicating the third location, andmeans for transmitting a fourth signal comprising a fourth expressioncode, the fourth expression code associated with the third metadata.

In an aspect, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourthexpression codes comprises a ProSe Expression Code that corresponds to aProSe Application Name.

In an aspect, at least one of the first metadata indicating the firstlocation or the third expression code indicating the second locationcomprises geographic coordinates.

In an aspect, the third expression code comprises a private expression,and wherein the second metadata comprises at least one of a code and keyinformation configured to enable matching and decoding of the privateexpression.

In an aspect, an announcing UE includes a memory, and at least oneprocessor coupled to the memory and configured to determine a firstlocation of the announcing UE when the announcing UE is stationary,transmit a first signal comprising a first expression code, the firstexpression code associated with first metadata stored in a server, thefirst metadata indicating the first location, determine a secondlocation of the announcing UE when the announcing UE is moving, updatethe first metadata stored in the server with second metadata, transmit asecond signal comprising a second expression code, the second expressioncode associated with the second metadata, and transmit a third signalcomprising a third expression code, the third expression code indicatingthe second location, wherein the second metadata is configured to enabledecoding of the third expression code.

In an aspect, the at least one processor further configured to determinea third location of the announcing UE when the announcing UE is nolonger moving, update the second metadata stored in the server withthird metadata, the third metadata indicating the third location, andtransmit a fourth signal comprising a fourth expression code, the fourthexpression code associated with the third metadata.

In an aspect, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourthexpression codes comprises a ProSe Expression Code that corresponds to aProSe Application Name.

In an aspect, at least one of the first metadata indicating the firstlocation or the third expression code indicating the second locationcomprises geographic coordinates.

In an aspect, the third expression code comprises a private expression,and wherein the second metadata comprises at least one of a code and keyinformation configured to enable matching and decoding of the privateexpression.

In an aspect, a computer-readable medium storing computer executablecode for wireless communication comprises code for determining a firstlocation of an announcing UE when the announcing UE is stationary,transmitting a first signal comprising a first expression code, thefirst expression code associated with first metadata stored in a server,the first metadata indicating the first location, determining a secondlocation of the announcing UE when the announcing UE is moving, updatingthe first metadata stored in the server with second metadata,transmitting a second signal comprising a second expression code, thesecond expression code associated with the second metadata, andtransmitting a third signal comprising a third expression code, thethird expression code indicating the second location, wherein the secondmetadata is configured to enable decoding of the third expression code.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer program product,and an apparatus are provided. For example, the apparatus may be a firstUE. In an aspect, the method performed by the first UE includesreceiving, from a second UE, a first signal comprising a firstexpression code associated with the second UE, determining firstmetadata associated with the first expression code, monitoring for asecond signal from the second UE based on the first metadata, the secondsignal comprising a second expression code that includes a firstlocation of the second UE, and determining the first location of thesecond UE from the second expression code using the first metadata.

In an aspect, the method further includes receiving, from the second UE,a third signal comprising a third expression code associated with thesecond UE, determining second metadata associated with the thirdexpression code, and determining a second location of the second UE fromthe second metadata.

In an aspect, at least one of the first, second, and third expressioncodes comprises a ProSe Expression Code that corresponds to a ProSeApplication Name.

In an aspect, the first location of the second UE included in the secondexpression comprises geographic coordinates.

In an aspect, the second expression code comprises a private expression,and wherein the first metadata comprises at least one of a code and keyinformation configured to enable matching and decoding of the privateexpression.

In an aspect, the first UE includes means for receiving, from a secondUE, a first signal comprising a first expression code associated withthe second UE, means for determining first metadata associated with thefirst expression code, means for monitoring for a second signal from thesecond UE based on the first metadata, the second signal comprising asecond expression code that includes a first location of the second UE,and means for determining the first location of the second UE from thesecond expression code using the first metadata.

In an aspect, the first UE further includes means for receiving, fromthe second UE, a third signal comprising a third expression codeassociated with the second UE, means for determining second metadataassociated with the third expression code, and means for determining asecond location of the second UE from the second metadata.

In an aspect, at least one of the first, second, and third expressioncodes comprises a ProSe Expression Code that corresponds to a ProSeApplication Name.

In an aspect, the first location of the second UE included in the secondexpression comprises geographic coordinates.

In an aspect, the second expression code comprises a private expression,and wherein the first metadata comprises at least one of a code and keyinformation configured to enable matching and decoding of the privateexpression.

In an aspect, the first UE includes a memory, and at least one processorcoupled to the memory and configured to receive, from a second UE, afirst signal comprising a first expression code associated with thesecond UE, determine first metadata associated with the first expressioncode, monitor for a second signal from the second UE based on the firstmetadata, the second signal comprising a second expression code thatincludes a first location of the second UE, determine the first locationof the second UE from the second expression code using the firstmetadata.

In an aspect, the at least one processor is further configured toreceive, from the second UE, a third signal comprising a thirdexpression code associated with the second UE, determine second metadataassociated with the third expression code, and determine a secondlocation of the second UE from the second metadata.

In an aspect, at least one of the first, second, and third expressioncodes comprises a ProSe Expression Code that corresponds to a ProSeApplication Name.

In an aspect, the first location of the second UE included in the secondexpression comprises geographic coordinates.

In an aspect, the second expression code comprises a private expression,and wherein the first metadata comprises at least one of a code and keyinformation configured to enable matching and decoding of the privateexpression.

In an aspect, a computer-readable medium storing computer executablecode for wireless communication includes code for receiving, at a firstUE from a second UE, a first signal comprising a first expression codeassociated with the second UE, determining first metadata associatedwith the first expression code, monitoring for a second signal from thesecond UE based on the first metadata, the second signal comprising asecond expression code that includes a first location of the second UE,and determining the first location of the second UE from the secondexpression code using the first metadata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network architecture.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an access network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a DL frame structure inLTE.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an UL frame structure inLTE.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a radio protocolarchitecture for the user and control planes.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an evolved Node B anduser equipment in an access network.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a device-to-device communications system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a mobile network.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a mobile network.

FIG. 10 is diagram illustrating an open location discovery procedure ina network.

FIG. 11 is diagram illustrating an open location discovery procedure ina network.

FIG. 12 is diagram illustrating a restricted location discoveryprocedure in a network.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary over-the-air resourceallocation scheme.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating ProSe application code formats.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a format for transmission of multipleProSe application codes by a device in a single discovery resource.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating code linking in accordance withvarious aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating device discovery in a network inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating device discovery in anetwork in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating device discovery in a network inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating metadata management in accordance withvarious aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow in accordancewith various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary network.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a communication flow in accordancewith various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a method of communication.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 30 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flowbetween different modules/means/components in an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

FIG. 32 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flowbetween different modules/means/components in an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

FIG. 34 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flowbetween different modules/means/components in an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known structures and components areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented withreference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methodswill be described in the following detailed description and illustratedin the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components,circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred toas “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronichardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether suchelements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or anycombination of elements may be implemented with a “processing system”that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, andother suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalitydescribed throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in theprocessing system may execute software. Software shall be construedbroadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments,program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications,software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines,objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc.,whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hardware description language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the functionsdescribed may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may bestored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computerstorage media. Storage media may be any available media that can beaccessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise a random-access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM), compact disk ROM (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in theform of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by acomputer. Combinations of the above should also be included within thescope of computer-readable media.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an LTE network architecture 100. TheLTE network architecture 100 may be referred to as an Evolved PacketSystem (EPS) 100. The EPS 100 may include one or more user equipment(UE) 102, an Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 110, and an Operator's InternetProtocol (IP) Services 122. The EPS can interconnect with other accessnetworks, but for simplicity those entities/interfaces are not shown. Asshown, the EPS provides packet-switched services, however, as thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate, the various conceptspresented throughout this disclosure may be extended to networksproviding circuit-switched services.

The E-UTRAN includes the evolved Node B (eNB) 106 and other eNBs 108,and may include a Multicast Coordination Entity (MCE) 128. The eNB 106provides user and control planes protocol terminations toward the UE102. The eNB 106 may be connected to the other eNBs 108 via a backhaul(e.g., an X2 interface). The MCE 128 allocates time/frequency radioresources for evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS)(eMBMS), and determines the radio configuration (e.g., a modulation andcoding scheme (MCS)) for the eMBMS. The MCE 128 may be a separate entityor part of the eNB 106. The eNB 106 may also be referred to as a basestation, a Node B, an access point, a base transceiver station, a radiobase station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basicservice set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), or some other suitableterminology. The eNB 106 provides an access point to the EPC 110 for aUE 102. Examples of UEs 102 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, asession initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, amultimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, or any other similarfunctioning device. The UE 102 may also be referred to by those skilledin the art as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, asubscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, awireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, amobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, awireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobileclient, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

The eNB 106 is connected to the EPC 110. The EPC 110 may include aMobility Management Entity (MME) 112, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)120, other MMEs 114, a Serving Gateway 116, a Multimedia BroadcastMulticast Service (MBMS) Gateway 124, a Broadcast Multicast ServiceCenter (BM-SC) 126, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 118. The MME112 is the control node that processes the signaling between the UE 102and the EPC 110. Generally, the MME 112 provides bearer and connectionmanagement. All user IP packets are transferred through the ServingGateway 116, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 118. The PDNGateway 118 provides UE IP address allocation as well as otherfunctions. The PDN Gateway 118 and the BM-SC 126 are connected to the IPServices 122. The IP Services 122 may include the Internet, an intranet,an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service (PSS), and/orother IP services. The BM-SC 126 may provide functions for MBMS userservice provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 126 may serve as an entrypoint for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used to authorizeand initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a PLMN, and may be used toschedule and deliver MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 124 may beused to distribute MBMS traffic to the eNBs (e.g., 106, 108) belongingto a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) areabroadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible for sessionmanagement (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charginginformation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an access network 200 inan LTE network architecture. In this example, the access network 200 isdivided into a number of cellular regions (cells) 202. One or more lowerpower class eNBs 208 may have cellular regions 210 that overlap with oneor more of the cells 202. The lower power class eNB 208 may be a femtocell (e.g., home eNB (HeNB)), pico cell, micro cell, or remote radiohead (RRH). The macro eNBs 204 are each assigned to a respective cell202 and are configured to provide an access point to the EPC 110 for allthe UEs 206 in the cells 202. There is no centralized controller in thisexample of an access network 200, but a centralized controller may beused in alternative configurations. The eNBs 204 are responsible for allradio related functions including radio bearer control, admissioncontrol, mobility control, scheduling, security, and connectivity to theserving gateway 116. An eNB may support one or multiple (e.g., three)cells (also referred to as a sectors). The term “cell” can refer to thesmallest coverage area of an eNB and/or an eNB subsystem serving areparticular coverage area. Further, the terms “eNB,” “base station,” and“cell” may be used interchangeably herein.

The modulation and multiple access scheme employed by the access network200 may vary depending on the particular telecommunications standardbeing deployed. In LTE applications, OFDM is used on the DL and SC-FDMAis used on the UL to support both frequency division duplex (FDD) andtime division duplex (TDD). As those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate from the detailed description to follow, the various conceptspresented herein are well suited for LTE applications. However, theseconcepts may be readily extended to other telecommunication standardsemploying other modulation and multiple access techniques. By way ofexample, these concepts may be extended to Evolution-Data Optimized(EV-DO) or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB). EV-DO and UMB are air interfacestandards promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2(3GPP2) as part of the CDMA2000 family of standards and employs CDMA toprovide broadband Internet access to mobile stations. These concepts mayalso be extended to Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) employingWideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other variants of CDMA, such as TD-SCDMA;Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) employing TDMA; andEvolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE802.20, and Flash-OFDM employing OFDMA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE and GSMare described in documents from the 3GPP organization. CDMA2000 and UMBare described in documents from the 3GPP2 organization. The actualwireless communication standard and the multiple access technologyemployed will depend on the specific application and the overall designconstraints imposed on the system.

The eNBs 204 may have multiple antennas supporting MIMO technology. Theuse of MIMO technology enables the eNBs 204 to exploit the spatialdomain to support spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and transmitdiversity. Spatial multiplexing may be used to transmit differentstreams of data simultaneously on the same frequency. The data streamsmay be transmitted to a single UE 206 to increase the data rate or tomultiple UEs 206 to increase the overall system capacity. This isachieved by spatially precoding each data stream (i.e., applying ascaling of an amplitude and a phase) and then transmitting eachspatially precoded stream through multiple transmit antennas on the DL.The spatially precoded data streams arrive at the UE(s) 206 withdifferent spatial signatures, which enables each of the UE(s) 206 torecover the one or more data streams destined for that UE 206. On theUL, each UE 206 transmits a spatially precoded data stream, whichenables the eNB 204 to identify the source of each spatially precodeddata stream.

Spatial multiplexing is generally used when channel conditions are good.When channel conditions are less favorable, beamforming may be used tofocus the transmission energy in one or more directions. This may beachieved by spatially precoding the data for transmission throughmultiple antennas. To achieve good coverage at the edges of the cell, asingle stream beamforming transmission may be used in combination withtransmit diversity.

In the detailed description that follows, various aspects of an accessnetwork will be described with reference to a MIMO system supportingOFDM on the DL. OFDM is a spread-spectrum technique that modulates dataover a number of subcarriers within an OFDM symbol. The subcarriers arespaced apart at precise frequencies. The spacing provides“orthogonality” that enables a receiver to recover the data from thesubcarriers. In the time domain, a guard interval (e.g., cyclic prefix)may be added to each OFDM symbol to combat inter-OFDM-symbolinterference. The UL may use SC-FDMA in the form of a DFT-spread OFDMsignal to compensate for high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR).

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 illustrating an example of a DL frame structurein LTE. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes.Each subframe may include two consecutive time slots. A resource gridmay be used to represent two time slots, each time slot including aresource block. The resource grid is divided into multiple resourceelements. In LTE, for a normal cyclic prefix, a resource block contains12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutiveOFDM symbols in the time domain, for a total of 84 resource elements.For an extended cyclic prefix, a resource block contains 12 consecutivesubcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive OFDM symbols inthe time domain, for a total of 72 resource elements. Some of theresource elements, indicated as R 302, 304, include DL reference signals(DL-RS). The DL-RS include Cell-specific RS (CRS) (also sometimes calledcommon RS) 302 and UE-specific RS (UE-RS) 304. UE-RS 304 are transmittedonly on the resource blocks upon which the corresponding physical DLshared channel (PDSCH) is mapped. The number of bits carried by eachresource element depends on the modulation scheme. Thus, the moreresource blocks that a UE receives and the higher the modulation scheme,the higher the data rate for the UE.

FIG. 4 is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of an UL frame structurein LTE. The available resource blocks for the UL may be partitioned intoa data section and a control section. The control section may be formedat the two edges of the system bandwidth and may have a configurablesize. The resource blocks in the control section may be assigned to UEsfor transmission of control information. The data section may includeall resource blocks not included in the control section. The UL framestructure results in the data section including contiguous subcarriers,which may allow a single UE to be assigned all of the contiguoussubcarriers in the data section.

A UE may be assigned resource blocks 410 a, 410 b in the control sectionto transmit control information to an eNB. The UE may also be assignedresource blocks 420 a, 420 b in the data section to transmit data to theeNB. The UE may transmit control information in a physical UL controlchannel (PUCCH) on the assigned resource blocks in the control section.The UE may transmit only data or both data and control information in aphysical UL shared channel (PUSCH) on the assigned resource blocks inthe data section. A UL transmission may span both slots of a subframeand may hop across frequency.

A set of resource blocks may be used to perform initial system accessand achieve UL synchronization in a physical random access channel(PRACH) 430. The PRACH 430 carries a random sequence and cannot carryany UL data/signaling. Each random access preamble occupies a bandwidthcorresponding to six consecutive resource blocks. The starting frequencyis specified by the network. That is, the transmission of the randomaccess preamble is restricted to certain time and frequency resources.There is no frequency hopping for the PRACH. The PRACH attempt iscarried in a single subframe (1 ms) or in a sequence of few contiguoussubframes and a UE can make only a single PRACH attempt per frame (10ms).

FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 illustrating an example of a radio protocolarchitecture for the user and control planes in LTE. The radio protocolarchitecture for the UE and the eNB is shown with three layers: Layer 1,Layer 2, and Layer 3. Layer 1 (L1 layer) is the lowest layer andimplements various physical layer signal processing functions. The L1layer will be referred to herein as the physical layer 506. Layer 2 (L2layer) 508 is above the physical layer 506 and is responsible for thelink between the UE and eNB over the physical layer 506.

In the user plane, the L2 layer 508 includes a media access control(MAC) sublayer 510, a radio link control (RLC) sublayer 512, and apacket data convergence protocol (PDCP) 514 sublayer, which areterminated at the eNB on the network side. Although not shown, the UEmay have several upper layers above the L2 layer 508 including a networklayer (e.g., IP layer) that is terminated at the PDN gateway 118 on thenetwork side, and an application layer that is terminated at the otherend of the connection (e.g., far end UE, server, etc.).

The PDCP sublayer 514 provides multiplexing between different radiobearers and logical channels. The PDCP sublayer 514 also provides headercompression for upper layer data packets to reduce radio transmissionoverhead, security by ciphering the data packets, and handover supportfor UEs between eNBs. The RLC sublayer 512 provides segmentation andreassembly of upper layer data packets, retransmission of lost datapackets, and reordering of data packets to compensate for out-of-orderreception due to hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ). The MACsublayer 510 provides multiplexing between logical and transportchannels. The MAC sublayer 510 is also responsible for allocating thevarious radio resources (e.g., resource blocks) in one cell among theUEs. The MAC sublayer 510 is also responsible for HARQ operations.

In the control plane, the radio protocol architecture for the UE and eNBis substantially the same for the physical layer 506 and the L2 layer508 with the exception that there is no header compression function forthe control plane. The control plane also includes a radio resourcecontrol (RRC) sublayer 516 in Layer 3 (L3 layer). The RRC sublayer 516is responsible for obtaining radio resources (e.g., radio bearers) andfor configuring the lower layers using RRC signaling between the eNB andthe UE.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an eNB 610 in communication with a UE 650in an access network. In the DL, upper layer packets from the corenetwork are provided to a controller/processor 675. Thecontroller/processor 675 implements the functionality of the L2 layer.In the DL, the controller/processor 675 provides header compression,ciphering, packet segmentation and reordering, multiplexing betweenlogical and transport channels, and radio resource allocations to the UE650 based on various priority metrics. The controller/processor 675 isalso responsible for HARQ operations, retransmission of lost packets,and signaling to the UE 650.

The transmit (TX) processor 616 implements various signal processingfunctions for the L1 layer (i.e., physical layer). The signal processingfunctions include coding and interleaving to facilitate forward errorcorrection (FEC) at the UE 650 and mapping to signal constellationsbased on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying(BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying(M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded andmodulated symbols are then split into parallel streams. Each stream isthen mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal(e.g., pilot) in the time and/or frequency domain, and then combinedtogether using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce aphysical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDMstream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams.Channel estimates from a channel estimator 674 may be used to determinethe coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. Thechannel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and/or channelcondition feedback transmitted by the UE 650. Each spatial stream maythen be provided to a different antenna 620 via a separate transmitter618TX. Each transmitter 618TX may modulate an RF carrier with arespective spatial stream for transmission.

At the UE 650, each receiver 654RX receives a signal through itsrespective antenna 652. Each receiver 654RX recovers informationmodulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to thereceiver (RX) processor 656. The RX processor 656 implements varioussignal processing functions of the L1 layer. The RX processor 656 mayperform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatialstreams destined for the UE 650. If multiple spatial streams aredestined for the UE 650, they may be combined by the RX processor 656into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 656 then converts theOFDM symbol stream from the time-domain to the frequency domain using aFast Fourier Transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises aseparate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. Thesymbols on each subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered anddemodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation pointstransmitted by the eNB 610. These soft decisions may be based on channelestimates computed by the channel estimator 658. The soft decisions arethen decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signalsthat were originally transmitted by the eNB 610 on the physical channel.The data and control signals are then provided to thecontroller/processor 659.

The controller/processor 659 implements the L2 layer. Thecontroller/processor can be associated with a memory 660 that storesprogram codes and data. The memory 660 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 659provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processingto recover upper layer packets from the core network. The upper layerpackets are then provided to a data sink 662, which represents all theprotocol layers above the L2 layer. Various control signals may also beprovided to the data sink 662 for L3 processing. Thecontroller/processor 659 is also responsible for error detection usingan acknowledgement (ACK) and/or negative acknowledgement (NACK) protocolto support HARQ operations.

In the UL, a data source 667 is used to provide upper layer packets tothe controller/processor 659. The data source 667 represents allprotocol layers above the L2 layer. Similar to the functionalitydescribed in connection with the DL transmission by the eNB 610, thecontroller/processor 659 implements the L2 layer for the user plane andthe control plane by providing header compression, ciphering, packetsegmentation and reordering, and multiplexing between logical andtransport channels based on radio resource allocations by the eNB 610.The controller/processor 659 is also responsible for HARQ operations,retransmission of lost packets, and signaling to the eNB 610.

Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 658 from a referencesignal or feedback transmitted by the eNB 610 may be used by the TXprocessor 668 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes,and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated bythe TX processor 668 may be provided to different antenna 652 viaseparate transmitters 654TX. Each transmitter 654TX may modulate an RFcarrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

The UL transmission is processed at the eNB 610 in a manner similar tothat described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 650.Each receiver 618RX receives a signal through its respective antenna620. Each receiver 618RX recovers information modulated onto an RFcarrier and provides the information to a RX processor 670. The RXprocessor 670 may implement the L1 layer.

The controller/processor 675 implements the L2 layer. Thecontroller/processor 675 can be associated with a memory 676 that storesprogram codes and data. The memory 676 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the control/processor 675 providesdemultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processingto recover upper layer packets from the UE 650. Upper layer packets fromthe controller/processor 675 may be provided to the core network. Thecontroller/processor 675 is also responsible for error detection usingan ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a device-to-device communications system 700. Thedevice-to-device communications system 700 includes a plurality ofwireless devices 704, 706, 708, 710. The device-to-device communicationssystem 700 may overlap with a cellular communications system, such asfor example, a wireless wide area network (WWAN). Some of the wirelessdevices 704, 706, 708, 710 may communicate together in device-to-devicecommunication using the DL/UL WWAN spectrum, some may communicate withthe base station 702, and some may do both. For example, as shown inFIG. 7, the wireless devices 708, 710 are in device-to-devicecommunication and the wireless devices 704, 706 are in device-to-devicecommunication. The wireless devices 704, 706 are also communicating withthe base station 702.

The exemplary methods and apparatuses discussed infra are applicable toany of a variety of wireless device-to-device communications systems,such as for example, a wireless device-to-device communication systembased on FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, or Wi-Fi based on theIEEE 802.11 standard. To simplify the discussion, the exemplary methodsand apparatus are discussed within the context of LTE. However, one ofordinary skill in the art would understand that the exemplary methodsand apparatuses are applicable more generally to a variety of otherwireless device-to-device communication systems.

LTE-Direct or proximity service (ProSe) discovery is a process by whichmobile devices periodically broadcast short bit strings (e.g., referredto as “ProSe application codes,” or simply “expressions codes”)over-the-air, while other mobile devices in proximity attempt to detectthe codes in an efficient manner. For example, the other mobile devicesmay monitor for codes and filter only the codes that are of interest tothe applications operating in those mobile devices. A ProSe code isassociated with an application-layer (e.g. human-readable) name referredto as a ProSe Application Name. The ProSe Application Name may be acomponent of a ProSe Application Identifier (PAI)). An applicationpublishing a ProSe Application Name results in the modem announcing thecorresponding code, while an application subscribing to a (set of) ProSeApplication Name(s) results in the modem monitoring for thecorresponding code(s). Conventional LTE-Direct discovery procedures,while battery-efficient and privacy-sensitive, do not provide anaccurate location of a discovered mobile device. For example, a mobiledevice may discover another mobile device and only know that thediscovered mobile device is somewhere in proximity, which may be withina 500 m radius. It should be noted that discovery is uni-directional,such that the discovered mobile device does not know whether or when ithas been discovered by one or more mobile devices in proximity.

For mobile devices that wish to make their location known, one option isto always (or at least always when moving) broadcast some succinctlocation information along with a code or expression used by othermobile devices for discovery. However, this approach may waste resources(e.g., over-the-air discovery resources) if there is no other mobiledevice in proximity actually interested in that location information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a mobile network 800. In an aspect, themobile network 800 includes a number of users with proximity serviceenabled mobile devices. For example, one or more mobile devices in FIG.8 may periodically broadcast an announcement (e.g., announcement 802 orannouncement 803) that enables discovery by another mobile device (e.g.,mobile device 804). In such example, the mobile device 804 may discoveranother mobile device in proximity and which offers a service or contentof interest. However, the mobile device 804 performing discovery may notbe able to accurately determine the locations of the discovered mobiledevices.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a mobile network 900. As shown in FIG.9, mobile network 900 includes a mobile device 902, an applicationserver 904, a ProSe Function 906, and a location server 908. As furthershown in FIG. 9, the mobile device 902 includes an application 910 and amodem 912. In the present disclosure, the term ProSe Function may referto a logical function for proximity services implemented by a server orother network entity.

In an aspect, the application server 904 may configure applications withProSe application names and/or may store the metadata (e.g., a set ofauxiliary information) for each ProSe application name. The ProSeFunction 906 may be configured to allocate ProSe application codes, lookup ProSe application codes, and/or store metadata for each ProSeapplication code. The metadata is associated with both the ProSeapplication name and the allocated ProSe application code. The locationserver 908 may be configured to determine accurate location informationfor each mobile device.

In an aspect, as shown in FIG. 9, when the mobile device 902 isoperating as a device discoverer, the discovery service module 914 maysend a ProSe application code received from a discovered mobile deviceto the ProSe Function 906 via data path 920. The ProSe Function 906 maylook up the ProSe application code to determine the ProSe applicationname that corresponds to that code. The ProSe Function 906 may then sendthe ProSe application name to the mobile device 902 via data path 920.When the mobile device 902 is operating as an announcer/discoveree, thediscovery service module 914 may place accurate location information ofthe mobile device 902 into the location server 908 via data path 922. Ingeneral, depending on the role of the mobile device 902, as furthershown in FIG. 9, the application 910 may communicate with applicationserver 904 via data path 918 to receive configuration information tosubscribe to ProSe Application names of interest or to publish ProSeApplication Names. These operations result in mobile devices eitherbroadcasting a code or monitoring for a set of codes. When a mobiledevice finds some codes that match its interest, the mobile device maysend those codes to the network to obtain the associated ProSeApplication Names.

FIG. 10 is diagram illustrating an open location discovery procedure ina network 1000. Network 1000 includes UE_A 1002, UE_B 1004, UE_X 1006,UE_Y 1008, UE_Z 1010, ProSe Function 1012, and location server 1014.

As shown in FIG. 10, UE_A 1002, UE_X 1006, UE_Y 1008, and/or UE_Z 1010may each periodically broadcast a unique code (e.g., a short bit string)over-the-air. In an aspect, the unique code may be a ProSe applicationcode associated with a UE. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, UE_A 1002,UE_X 1006, UE_Y 1008, and UE_Z 1010 may respectively broadcast ProSeapplication codes “Code A,” “Code X,” “Code Y,” and “Code Z.” UE_B 1004may discover UEs of interest by listening to the broadcasted ProSeapplication codes and filtering the ProSe application codes of interestto the UE_B 1004. For example, UE_B 1004 may determine that Code A is ofinterest to the UE_B 1004. In such example, UE_A 1002 may be a mobiledog grooming service looking for business and may be configured toprovide its accurate location to any interested UE.

In an aspect, the UE_B 1004 may send a message 1016 to the ProSeFunction 1012. In such aspect, the message 1016 may include a requestfor information associated with Code A and a request for locationinformation associated with the UE (e.g., UE_A 1002) that broadcastedCode A. In an aspect, the message 1016 may be a match report messagethat must be sent by a UE (e.g., UE_B 1004) to a ProSe Function in orderfor the UE to obtain the application-layer meaning (e.g., a ProSeApplication Name) of the discovered code (e.g., Code A). The ProSeFunction 1012 may determine whether UE_B 1004 is authorized to receiveProSe services and/or the requested location information. If UE_B 1004is authorized, the ProSe Function 1012 may trigger the UE_A 1002 to takelocation measurements and to report the measurements to the ProSeFunction 1012. For example, the ProSe Function 1012 may trigger the UE_A1002 by sending a request 1018 to the location server 1014 for therequested location information. In an aspect, the location server 1014may be an LTE location server. The location server 1014 may then send amessage 1020 to the UE_A 1002 using LTE protocols for locationinformation, such as SUPL (Secure User Plane Location). The UE_A 1002may upload the requested location information 1024 to the locationserver 1014 in response to the message 1020. For example, the message1020 may be a push notification.

In an aspect, if the UE (e.g., UE_A 1002) discovered by the UE_B 1004 isno longer of interest to the UE_B 1004, the UE_B 1004 may send a messageto the ProSe Function 1012 indicating that the discovered UE (e.g., UE_A1002) is no longer of interest to the UE_B 1004. The ProSe Function 1012may forward the message to the location server 1014. The location server1014 may then send a message (e.g., a push notification) to the UE_A1002 that causes the UE_A 1002 to no longer upload the locationinformation to the location server 1014. However, it should beunderstood that the UE_A 1002 may still continue to upload its locationinformation for other UEs (e.g., UEs different from UE_B 1004) that havediscovered UE_A 1002 and which are interested in the location of UE_A1002.

In another aspect, a UE (e.g., UE_A 1002) discovered by the UE_B 1004may implement a timer such that the UE uploads its location informationto the location server 1014 while the timer is running. If the UE_B 1004does not renew its interest in the location of the discovered UE priorto expiration of the timer, the discovered UE may no longer upload thelocation information to the location server 1014. It should beunderstood, however, that the UE (e.g., UE_A 1002) discovered by UE_B1004 may still continue to upload its location information for other UEs(e.g., UEs different from UE_B 1004) that have discovered the UE andwhich are interested in the location of UE if the UE_B 1004 has notrenewed its interest in the location of the discovered UE prior toexpiration of the timer.

The location server 1014 may send a message 1021 that includes thelocation information to the ProSe Function 1012. The ProSe Function 1012may then send a message 1022 to UE_B 1004 including informationassociated with Code A (e.g., a ProSe Application Name, such as“Expression.A”) and the location information (e.g., LTE-based location)associated with UE_A 1002. In an aspect, the message 1022 may be a matchreport acknowledgment message.

FIG. 11 is diagram illustrating an open location discovery procedure ina network 1100. Network 1100 includes UE_A 1102, UE_B 1104, UE_X 1106,UE_Y 1108, UE_Z 1110, and ProSe Function 1112.

As shown in FIG. 11, UE_A 1102, UE_X 1106, UE_Y 1108, and/or UE_Z 1110may each periodically broadcast a unique code (e.g., a short bit string)over-the-air. In an aspect, the unique code may be a ProSe applicationcode associated with a UE. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, UE_A 1102,UE_X 1106, UE_Y 1108, and UE_Z 1110 may respectively broadcast ProSeapplication codes “Code A,” “Code X,” “Code Y,” and “Code Z.” The UE_B1104 may discover UEs of interest by listening to the broadcasted ProSeapplication codes and filtering the ProSe application codes of interestto the UE_B 1104. For example, UE_B 1104 may determine that Code A is ofinterest to the UE_B 1104. In such example, UE_A 1102 may be a mobiledog grooming service looking for business and may be configured toprovide its accurate location to any interested UE.

In an aspect, the UE_B 1104 may send a message 1114 to the ProSeFunction 1112. In such aspect, the message 1114 may include a requestfor information associated with Code A and a request for locationinformation associated with the UE (e.g., UE_A 1002) that broadcastedCode A. In an aspect, the message 1114 may be a match report messagethat must be sent by a UE (e.g., UE_B 1104) to a ProSe Function in orderfor the UE to obtain the application-layer meaning (e.g., a ProSeApplication Name) of the discovered code (e.g., Code A). The ProSeFunction 1112 may determine whether UE_B 1104 is authorized to receiveProSe services and/or the requested location information. If UE_B 1104is authorized, the ProSe Function 1112 may trigger the UE_A 1102 toinclude location information in its metadata or to update its metadatawith location information. For example, the ProSe Function 1112 maytrigger the UE_A 1102 by sending a message 1116 to the UE_A 1102 usingLTE protocols requesting the UE_A 1102 to update metadata of the UE_A1102 with current location information. For example, the message 1116may be a push notification. In an aspect, the UE_A 1102 may determineits location information via an operating system (e.g., Android) makinguse of a location obtaining feature based on GPS (or GLONASS, or Beidou,or WiFi) receiver.

In an aspect, the UE_A 1102 may send updated metadata 1118 to the ProSeFunction 1112. Yet in another aspect, the UE_A 1102 may send updatedmetadata 1118 to the ProSe Function via the Application Server (notshown) as in FIG. 9. After the ProSe Function 1112 obtains the metadata,the ProSe Function 1112 may send a message 1120 to UE_B 1004 includinginformation associated with Code A (e.g., a ProSe Application Name, suchas “Expression.A”) and metadata from the UE_A 1102. In an aspect, themetadata in the message 1120 may include the location information (e.g.,GPS data or coordinates) associated with UE_A 1102. In another aspect,the metadata in the message 1120 may not include the locationinformation associated with UE_A 1102 and may include an indication thata trigger has been sent to UE_A 1102 for publishing/broadcasting thelocation information over the air. In such aspect, the UE_B 1104 maylisten for the location information of the UE_A 1102 along with thecodes (e.g., Code A) announced by UE_A 1102. In an aspect, the message1120 may be a match report acknowledgment message. In an aspect, thematch report message may contain location, or, if it is too long todelay the match report acknowledgment, the match report acknowledgementwithout any location information. In an aspect, the ProSe Function 1112may send a proximity alert message to the UE_B 1104, indicating thatUE_A 1102 is interested in the services of the UE_B 1104 and is locatedin proximity.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a restricted location discoveryprocedure in a network 1200. Network 1200 includes UE_A 1202, UE_B 1204,UE_X 1206, UE_Y 1208, UE_Z 1210, and ProSe Function 1212.

As shown in FIG. 12, UE_A 1202, UE_X 1206, UE_Y 1208, and/or UE_Z 1210may each periodically broadcast a unique code (e.g., a short bit string)over-the-air. In an aspect, the unique code may be a ProSe applicationcode associated with a UE. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, UE_A 1202,UE_X 1206, UE_Y 1208, and UE_Z 1210 may respectively broadcast ProSeapplication codes “Code A,” “Code X,” “Code Y,” and “Code Z.” The UE_B1204 may discover UEs of interest by listening to the broadcasted ProSeapplication codes and filtering the ProSe application codes of interestto the UE_B 1204. For example, UE_B 1204 may determine that Code A is ofinterest to the UE_B 1204. In such example, UE_A 1202 may be a privateperson with a social networking identifier, and may be configured toprovide its accurate location to only a restricted set of pre-selectedUEs (e.g., close friends and selected family members).

In an aspect, the UE_B 1204 may send a message 1214 to the ProSeFunction 1212. In such aspect, the message 1214 may include a requestfor information associated with Code A and a request for locationinformation associated with the UE (e.g., UE_A 1202) that broadcastedCode A. In an aspect, the message 1214 may be a match report messagethat must be sent by a UE (e.g., UE_B 1204) to a ProSe Function in orderfor the UE to obtain the application-layer meaning (e.g., a ProSeApplication Name) of the discovered code (e.g., Code A). The ProSeFunction 1212 may determine whether UE_B 1204 is authorized to receiveProSe services and/or the requested location information (i.e., whetherUE_B 1204 is in the set of pre-selected UEs that UE_A 1202 authorized toget its accurate location information). If UE_B 1204 is authorized, theProSe Function 1212 may trigger the UE_A 1202 to determine its currentlocation and to report the location information over-the-air such thatonly the authorized UEs may obtain the location information, or toupdate its metadata. For example, the ProSe Function 1212 may triggerthe UE_A 1202 by sending a message 1216 to the UE_A 1202 including arequest to report location information of the UE_A 1202 and/or updatemetadata of the UE_A 1202 with the location information. For example,the message 1216 may be a push notification.

If the UE_A 1202 chooses to update the metadata of UE_A 1202, the UE_A1202 obtains the location of UE_A 1202 using standard non-LTE techniques(e.g. obtaining location information via a high level operating system(e.g., Android) using a GPS receiver as previously described) and sendsthe location information to the ProSe Function 1212. In such aspect, theProSe Function 1212 may send a message 1218 to the authorized UE_B 1204including information associated with Code A (e.g., a ProSe ApplicationName, such as “Expression.A” in FIG. 12) with the metadata containingthe location information. For example, the ProSe Application Name may beconfigured to describe a restaurant. In such example, the ProSeApplication Name may be “ProSeApp.Food.Restaurants.Italian.” In anaspect, the ProSe Application Name may be preceded by a PLMN ID. In anaspect, the message 1218 may be a match report acknowledgment message.In an aspect, the match report acknowledgement may be delayed and onlysent when the LTE location is available at a LTE location server.

If the UE_A 1202 chooses to report its location informationover-the-air, the UE_A 1202 may start announcing its locationinformation along with Code A. In an aspect, the location informationannounced by the UE_A 1202 may be protected (e.g., encrypted) with asecurity key. In such aspect, the ProSe Function 1212 may include thesecurity key in the message 1218 sent to the authorized UE_B 1204. TheUE_B 1204 may use the security key to determine the obfuscated locationinformation received from the UE_A 1202. In another aspect, the locationinformation announced by the UE_A 1202 may not be protected with asecurity key. In such aspect, the UE_A 1202 may announce locationinformation of the UE_A 1202 along with a separate location-carryingcode. In such aspect, the ProSe Function 1212 may include thelocation-carrying code in the message 1218 sent to the authorized UE_B1204. The UE_B 1204 may monitor for this code and once found, use it toretrieve the location information associated with the UE_A 1202.

Therefore, in the aspects described supra, a mobile device (e.g., mobiledevice UE_A 1002) may efficiently report its location information (e.g.,announce its location information in a broadcast or update its metadatato include location information) only when needed (e.g., when requestedby other devices duly authorized). Furthermore, it should be noted thatthe aspects described supra take into account any permissions foraccurate location much like permissions for discovery. For example, somemobile devices may not care about the identities of other mobile devicesrequesting their location information and, therefore, no permissionchecking may be required. As another example, some mobile devices maywish to grant permission for accessing accurate current location to onlycertain other mobile devices (e.g., to mobile devices in a subsetsmaller than the subset of mobile devices permitted to discover in thefirst place). For example, the ProSe Function may be configured toenforce such permissions based on input from an application server(ultimately from the user him/herself).

FIG. 13 is a diagram 1300 illustrating an exemplary over-the-airresource allocation scheme. FIG. 13 includes a set of resources 1302which are periodically allocated for device discovery and for a WAN. Forexample, during period 1308, portion 1304 of the set of resources 1302is allocated for device discovery and a portion 1306 of the set ofresources 1302 is allocated for a WAN. For example, the duration ofperiod 1308 may be 10 seconds and the duration 1310 of the portion 1304allocated for device discovery may be 64 ms. As shown in FIG. 13, eachportion of the set of resources 1302 allocated for device discovery mayinclude a subset of resources. For example, portion 1304 allocated fordevice discovery may include subset of resources 1312. The subset ofresources 1312 includes j subframes, where each of the j subframesincludes i sets of subcarriers. In one example, subset of resources 1312may include 64 subframes (e.g., j=63), where each subframe includes 88sets of subcarriers (i=87). In such example, each set of subcarriers mayinclude 12 contiguous subcarriers. In an aspect, a set of subcarriers ina subframe may be defined as a single discovery resource, such asdiscovery resource 1314.

In an aspect, a device may be allocated a single discovery resource(e.g., discovery resource 1314) for transmissions associated with devicediscovery. In one example, and as shown FIG. 13, a device may use thediscovery resource 1314 in the subset of resources 1312 to transmit oneProSe application code (e.g., Code A 1316). In the present disclosure,the term ProSe application code may also be referred to as an expressioncode. As another example, and as shown FIG. 13, the device may use asingle discovery resource 1322 in subset of resources 1320 of portion1318 to transmit two ProSe application codes (e.g., Code B 1324 and CodeC 1326). In an aspect, there may be no association between the singlediscovery resources (e.g., single discovery resources 1314 and 1322) inFIG. 13. In an aspect, multiple ProSe application codes transmitted by adevice in a single discovery resource may be linked by virtue of theshared single discovery resource. For example, the ProSe applicationcodes Code B 1324 and Code C 1326 transmitted in discovery resource 1322may be linked.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating ProSe application code formats. Asshown in FIG. 14, exemplary format 1410 includes a type 1412, anon-unique prefix 1414, and a unique discriminator 1416. In an aspectthe type 1412 may be an open discovery type (also referred to as publicdiscovery type), non-unique prefix 1414 may be a commercial branchcategory or subcategory, and unique discriminator 1416 may be a storeidentification (ID). For example, the non-unique prefix 1414 and theunique discriminator 1416 may be a total of 160 bits. Exemplary format1420 includes a type 1422, a non-unique prefix 1424, and a non-uniquesuffix 1426. In an aspect the type 1422 may be a restricted discoverytype (also referred to as private discovery type), non-unique prefix1424 may be an obfuscated identifier of an application, and non-uniquesuffix 1426 may be application specific information. For example, thenon-unique prefix 1424 and the non-unique suffix 1426 may be a total of160 bits. Exemplary format 1430 includes a type 1432, a unique prefix1434, and a non-unique suffix 1436. In an aspect, the type 1432 may be arestricted discovery type, unique prefix 1434 may be an obfuscatedidentifier of a user, and non-unique suffix 1436 may be applicationspecific information. For example, the unique prefix 1434 and thenon-unique suffix 1436 may be a total of 160 bits. Exemplary format 1440includes a type 1442 and a unique code 1444. For example, the uniquecode 1444 may be 160 bits.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a format 1500 for transmission ofmultiple ProSe application codes by a device. As shown in FIG. 15,format 1500 includes type 1502, primary code 1504, and secondary code1506. For example, with reference to FIG. 13, primary code 1504 may becode B 1324 and the secondary code 1506 may be code C 1326. In suchexample, the primary code 1504 and the secondary code 1506 may betransmitted in a single discovery resource, such as discovery resource1322. Therefore, in the aspect of FIG. 15, primary code 1504 and thesecondary code 1506 may be linked by virtue of the shared singlediscovery resource used for the transmission of the primary code 1504and the secondary code 1506.

In one scenario, a single discovery resource may not be able toaccommodate transmission of multiple codes (e.g., ProSe applicationcodes) by a device (e.g., when the total size of the multiple codes istoo large for transmission using a single discovery resource). In suchscenario, the multiple codes may need to be transmitted using multiplediscovery resources. In an aspect, the multiple codes transmitted usingmultiple discovery resources may be configured to be associated (e.g.,linked) to one another. For example, and as described infra with respectto FIG. 16, a primary code may be transmitted by a device in onediscovery resource and may be linked to a secondary code that istransmitted by the device in another discovery resource. For example,with reference to FIG. 13, primary code 1504 may be code A 1316 and thesecondary code 1506 may be code C 1326.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating code linking in accordance withvarious aspects of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 16, format 1600includes a type 1602 and primary code 1604. For example, the primarycode 1604 may be a first ProSe application code and may be 160 bits inlength. As another example, the primary code 1604 may be less than 160bits in length (e.g., 80 bits). In FIG. 16, format 1600 may be used by aUE to transmit the type 1602 and primary code 1604 in a first discoveryresource. As further shown in FIG. 16, format 1610 includes a type 1612,linking information 1614, and secondary code 1616. For example, thesecondary code 1616 may be a second ProSe application code. For example,linking information 1614 and the secondary code 1616 may be a total of160 bits. In such example, the secondary code 1616 linked to the primarycode 1604 is less than 160 bits. In FIG. 16, format 1610 may be used bythe UE to transmit the type 1612, the linking information 1614, and thesecondary code 1616 in a second discovery resource, where the firstdiscovery resource is different from the second discovery resource. Inan aspect, the linking information 1614 indicates that the secondarycode 1616 is linked to the primary code 1604 (meaning, for example, thatboth of these codes are being broadcasted by the same device). Forexample, the linking information 1614 may be a code and/or keyinformation sufficient to match and decode a private expression. Asanother example, the linking information 1614 may be the ProSeapplication name that would be used to uniquely match the secondaryexpression code.

In an aspect, a first UE (also referred to as a monitoring device ordiscovering device) may receive a primary code that is transmitted by asecond UE (also referred to as a transmitting device) using a firstdiscovery resource. The first UE may then determine whether the primarycode is associated with any secondary codes and/or secondaryexpressions.

In one aspect, and as described infra with respect to FIG. 17, the firstUE may send a request for information associated with a discoveredsecond UE to a network device. The network device may then send amessage that includes metadata associated with the primary code and alist of secondary codes and/or secondary expressions that the second UEis authorized to publish.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating device discovery and code resolutionin a network 1700 in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 17, network 1700 includes first UE 1704,second UE 1702, and a network device 1706. In an aspect, network device1706 may be a ProSe Function. First UE 1702 may transmit code 1 1708,code 2 1710, and code 3 1711. In the present disclosure, the term codeis also referred to as an expression code or ProSe Application code. InFIG. 17, code 1 1708 may be associated with a first expression (e.g.,Expression 1), code 2 1710 may be associated with a second expression(e.g., Expression 2), and code 3 1711 may be associated with a thirdexpression (e.g., Expression 3). For example, each expression may be adifferent ProSe application name. In the aspect of FIG. 17, the first UE1704 may receive and decode the code 1 1708 (e.g., the primary code).The first UE 1704 may find code 1 1708 of interest (e.g., code 1 1708may match some criteria of the first UE 1794). The first UE 1704 maysuccessfully receive code 2 1710 and code 3 1711, but may not be able toimmediately decode code 2 1710 and code 3 1711. Consequently, the firstUE 1704 may not find code 2 1710 and code 3 1711 (e.g., the secondarycodes) to be of interest. The first UE 1704 may send a message 1712 thatincludes a request for information associated with the code of interest(e.g., code 1 1708) to the network device 1706. In an aspect, themessage 1712 may be a match report message that must be sent by a UE(e.g., first UE 1704) to a ProSe Function in order for the UE to obtainthe application-layer meaning (e.g., a ProSe Application Name) of thediscovered code (e.g., code 1 1708), unless already known from aprevious match report. The network device 1706 may send a message 1714that includes an expression associated with code 1 1708 (e.g.,Expression 1) and metadata associated with code 1 1708. For example, themetadata may include one or more expressions associated with code 11714, such as expression 2 and expression 3. In an aspect, the message1714 may be a match report acknowledgment message. Since expression 2and expression 3 are received as metadata for code 1 1708, the first UE1704 determines that expression 2 and expression 3 are also associatedwith the second UE 1702 that transmitted code 1 1708. Therefore, thefirst UE 1704 may receive one or more secondary expressions (e.g.,expression 2 and expression 3) of the second UE 1702 using a primaryexpression code (e.g., code 1 1708). In other words, the first UE 1704may determine one or more secondary expressions (e.g., expression 2 andexpression 3) of the second UE 1702 without decoding the expressioncodes (e.g., code 2 1710 and code 3 1711) associated with the secondaryexpressions.

In another aspect, and as described infra with respect to FIGS. 18A and18B, the first UE 1804 may receive a primary expression code from asecond UE 1802 and may determine a protected secondary expression codetransmitted from the second UE 1802 using the primary expression code.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating device discovery in anetwork 1800 in accordance with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 18A, network 1800 includes first UE 1804and second UE 1802. Second UE 1802 may transmit a signal 1806 thatincludes code 1 1808 (e.g., a primary expression code) and may transmita signal 1810 that includes code 2 1814 (e.g., a secondary expressioncode) and a prefix 1812. In an aspect, the prefix 1812 may be anarbitrary subset of the expression code bits. For example, the prefix1812 may be configured to precede or may be configured to follow code 21814. Therefore, it should be understood that the arrangement of thecode 2 1814 and prefix 1812 in signal 1810 may be different than shownin FIG. 18A in other aspects. The first UE 1804 may receive signal 1806and may successfully extract code 1 1808 from signal 1806. The first UE1804 may further receive the signal 1810, however, the first UE 1804 maynot be able to immediately extract code 2 1814 from signal 1810 withoutknowledge of the prefix 1812. In FIG. 18A, code 1 1808 may be associatedwith a first expression of the second UE 1802 and code 2 1814 may beassociated with a second expression of the second UE 1802. For example,the first and second expressions may be different ProSe applicationnames.

In an aspect, the first UE 1804 may determine the prefix 1812 byapplying a function to the code 1 1808. For example, with reference toFIG. 18B, the first UE 1804 may apply a prescribed hash function 1852 tothe code 1 1808 to generate the prefix 1812. The first UE 1804 mayidentify any received signals that include the prefix 1812. For example,the first UE 1804 may identify that the received signal 1810 includesthe prefix 1812. The first UE 1804 may then extract code 2 1814 usingthe prefix 1812. Therefore, since the first UE 1804 generated the prefix1812 using code 1 1808 from the second UE 1802, the first UE 1804determines that the code 2 1814 extracted using prefix 1812 is alsoassociated with the second UE 1802. Naturally, the exact same processingwas used by the second UE 1802 to convey to any recipients that bothcode 1 and code 2 are linked or from the same device. In an aspect, thefirst UE 1804 may send a message that includes a request for informationassociated with the code 2 1814 to a network device. In an aspect, themessage may be a match report message that must be sent by a UE (e.g.,first UE 1804) to a ProSe Function in order for the UE to obtain theapplication-layer meaning (e.g., a ProSe Application Name) of thediscovered code (e.g., code 2 1814). The network device may send amessage that includes an expression associated with code 2 1814 andmetadata associated with code 2 1814. For example, the metadata mayinclude one or more expressions associated with code 2 1814.

In an aspect, and as described infra with respect to FIG. 19, a UE mayderive a discriminator for a public expression (e.g., an expressiondiscoverable by any UE without special permission) and may determinewhether any of the expression codes detected by the UE contain thederived discriminator. In this way, the UE can determine all expressioncodes that are linked by virtue of the same discriminator.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating device discovery in a network 1900 inaccordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 19, network 1900 includes first UE 1904 and second UE 1902. SecondUE 1902 may transmit a signal 1906 that includes code 1 1908 (e.g., aprimary expression code), a signal 1910 that includes code 2 1912 (e.g.,a secondary expression code) and a discriminator 1 1914, and a signal1916 that includes code 3 1918 (e.g., a secondary expression code) and adiscriminator 1 1920. It should be understood that the arrangement ofthe code 2 1912 and discriminator 1 1914 in signal 1910 may be differentthan shown in FIG. 19 in other aspects (e.g., discriminator 1 1914 mayprecede the code 2 1912). It should also be understood that thearrangement of the code 3 1918 and discriminator 1 1920 in signal 1916may be different than shown in FIG. 19 in other aspects (e.g.,discriminator 1 1920 may precede the code 2 1912).

The first UE 1904 may decode code 1 1908. In an aspect, the first UE1904 may derive a discriminator for a public expression that isdiscoverable by any UE without special permission. For example, thefirst UE 1904 may derive the discriminator (e.g., “discriminator 1”)using code 1 1908. The first UE 1904 may then determine whether thesignal 1910 and/or signal 1916 include the derived discriminator (e.g.,“discriminator 1”). As shown in FIG. 19, since the signal 1910 includesthe discriminator 1 1914 and since the signal 1916 includes thediscriminator 1 1920, the first UE 1904 may determine that code 2 1912and code 3 1918 are both linked to code 1 1908 by virtue of the samediscriminator derived from code 1 1908. Therefore, in the aspect of FIG.19, the first UE 1904 may determine secondary expression codes (e.g.,code 2 1912 and code 3 1918) that are linked to a primary expressioncode (code 1 1908) by virtue of having the same discriminator (e.g.,“discriminator 1”).

FIG. 20 is a diagram 2000 illustrating metadata management in accordancewith various aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 20 includes a first UE2006, a ProSe Function/Expression Name Server (ENS) 2004, and a secondUE 2002. In an aspect, the ProSe Function/ENS 2004 is a ProSe Functionthat is configured to support a metadata update operation initiated byan announcing UE (e.g., second UE 2002). As shown in FIG. 20, the secondUE 2002 sends an announcement message 2008. In an aspect, theannouncement message 2008 includes a ProSe Application Name and metadataassociated with the ProSe Application Name. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104receives the announcement message 2008 and converts the ProSeApplication Name in the announcement message 2008 into a bit string(e.g., a sequence of bits) suitable for an over-the-air transmission.For example, the bit string may be configured to enable one or moremonitoring UEs (e.g., first UE 2006) to determine whether anannouncement from the second UE 2002 is of interest to the one or moremonitoring UEs. The ProSe Function/ENS 2004 may store the metadata 2010included in the announcement message 2008 in a memory and may perform afunction 2012 to generate an ID associated with the metadata, such asmetadata ID 2014. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 may then perform afunction 2016 to configure the bit string and the metadata ID 2014 in anexpression code, such as expression code 2018. As further shown in FIG.20, the ProSe Function/ENS 2004 sends a message 2020 that includesexpression code 2018 to the second UE 2002. The second UE 2002 thenbroadcasts an announcement message 2022 that includes the expressioncode 2018. The first UE 2006 receives the announcement message 2022 anddetermines that the expression code 2018 in the announcement message2022 is of interest to the first UE 2006. The first UE 2006 sends amessage 2024 that includes the expression code 2018. In an aspect, themessage 2024 may be a match report message. The ProSe Function/ENS 2004receives the message 2024 and identifies the expression code 2018 in themessage 2024. The ProSe Function/ENS 2004 performs a function 2026 toextract a metadata ID (e.g., metadata ID 2014) included in theexpression code 2018. The ProSe Function/ENS 2004 performs a function2028 to identify metadata (e.g., metadata 2010) corresponding to theextracted metadata ID (e.g., metadata ID 2014). The ProSe Function/ENS2004 then sends a message 2030 that includes the metadata (e.g.,metadata 2010) to the first UE 2006.

Therefore, in the aspect of FIG. 20, an announcing UE (e.g., second UE2002) may include metadata (e.g., metadata 2010) in a message (e.g.,message 2008) announced by the announcing UE, where the metadata isstored in a ProSe Function/ENS (e.g., ProSe Function/ENS 2004). Amonitoring UE (e.g., first UE 2006) may then receive the metadata fromthe ProSe Function/ENS.

FIG. 21 is a diagram 2100 illustrating a communication flow inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 21 includes afirst UE 2106, a ProSe Function/ENS 2104, and a second UE 2102. As shownin FIG. 21, the second UE 2102 sends an announcement message 2108 to theProse Function/ENS 2104. In an aspect, the announcement message 2108includes a ProSe Application Name (e.g., Expression 1 (Expr1)) andmetadata (e.g., Metadata 1) associated with the ProSe Application Name.For example, the ProSe Application Name may be a description of anapplication that is to be announced by the second UE 2102, where thedescription is used by one or more monitoring UEs (e.g., first UE 2106)to determine whether the application of the second UE 2102 is ofinterest to the one or more monitoring UEs. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104receives the announcement message 2108 and converts the ProSeApplication Name in the announcement message 2108 into a bit string(e.g., a sequence of bits) suitable for an over-the-air transmission.For example, the bit string may be configured to enable one or moremonitoring UEs (e.g., first UE 2106) to determine whether theannouncement from the second UE 2102 is of interest to the one or moremonitoring UEs. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 may store the metadataincluded in the announcement message 2108 in a memory and may generatean ID associated with the metadata. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 may thenconfigure the bit string and the ID associated with the metadata in afirst expression code (e.g., Expression Code 1). As shown in FIG. 21,the ProSe Function/ENS 2104 sends a message 2110 that includes the firstexpression code (e.g., Expression Code 1) to the second UE 2102.

As shown in FIG. 21, the second UE 2102 announces (e.g., broadcastsover-the-air) message 2112 that includes Expression Code 1. The first UE2106 receives the message 2112 and determines that the Expression Code 1in message 2112 is of interest to the first UE 2106. For example, thefirst UE 2106 may make the determination based on one or more criteriaconfigured by a user of the first UE 2106. The first UE 2106 sends aMatch Report message 2114 that includes the Expression Code 1 to theProSe Function/ENS 2104. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 extracts the bitstring and the ID associated with the metadata (e.g., Metadata 1) fromthe Expression Code 1 included in the match report message 2114. TheProSe Function/ENS 2104 then identifies the ProSe Application Name(e.g., Expr1) associated with the bit string and the metadata associatedwith the ID. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 then sends a message 2116 thatincludes the ProSe Application Name and the metadata (e.g., Metadata 1).The first UE 2106 receives the message 2116 and determines thatExpression Code 1 corresponds to the ProSe Application Name (e.g.,Expr1) and the metadata (e.g., Metadata 1) received via message 2116.

As shown in FIG. 21, the second UE 2102 may update the metadata (e.g.,Metadata 1) stored by ProSe Function/ENS 2104 by sending message 2118that includes updated metadata (e.g., Metadata 2). In an aspect, themessage 2118 may include an instruction to update the metadata. TheProSe Function/ENS 2104 may generate an updated ID associated with theupdated metadata. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 may then configure the bitstring associated with the ProSe Application Name and the updated IDassociated with the updated metadata in a second expression code (e.g.,Expression Code 2). As shown in FIG. 21, the ProSe Function/ENS 2104sends a message 2120 that includes the second expression code (e.g.,Expression Code 2) to the second UE 2102.

As shown in FIG. 21, the second UE 2102 announces (e.g., broadcastsover-the-air) message 2122 that includes Expression Code 2. The first UE2106 receives the message 2122 and determines that Expression Code 2 inmessage 2122 is of interest to the first UE 2106. For example, the firstUE 2106 may make the determination based on one or more criteriaconfigured by the user of the first UE 2106. The first UE 2106 sends aMatch Report message 2124 that includes the Expression Code 2 to theProSe Function/ENS 2104. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 extracts the bitstring and the updated ID associated with the updated metadata (e.g.,Metadata 2) from the Expression Code 2 included in the Match Reportmessage 2124. The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 then identifies the ProSeApplication Name (e.g., Expr1) associated with the bit string and theupdated metadata associated with the updated ID. The ProSe Function/ENS2104 then sends a message 2126 that includes the ProSe Application Name(e.g., Expr1) and the updated metadata (e.g., Metadata 2). The first UE2106 receives the message 2126 and determines that Expression Code 2corresponds to the ProSe Application Name (e.g., Expr1) and the updatedmetadata (e.g., Metadata 2) received via message 2126. Therefore, in theaspect of FIG. 21, the second UE 2102 may update the metadata associatedwith the ProSe Application Name and the first UE 2106 may retrieve theupdated metadata from the ProSe Function/ENS 2104, without requiring theProSe Function/ENS 2104 to execute a push function to notify one or moremonitoring UEs of the updated metadata.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary network 2200. As shown inFIG. 22, network 2200 includes first UE 2201, second UE 2202, and ProSeFunction/ENS 2204. As shown in FIG. 22, the first UE 2201 in network2200 may be monitoring expression codes transmitted (e.g., broadcasted)by one or more announcing UEs, such as second UE 2202. In an aspect,second UE 2202 may be located at a first location (indicated as “Loc 1”in FIG. 22) and may remain stationary at location 1. The second UE 2202may determine the location of second UE 2202 and may send anannouncement 2206 that includes a ProSe Application Name and/or metadata(e.g., Metadata 1 2208). In an aspect, the metadata may include thestationary location information (e.g., “Loc 1”) of the second UE 2202.For example, the stationary location information may be geographiccoordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates or GPS data) indicating the locationof the second UE 2202 remaining stationary at the first location. TheProSe Function/ENS 2204 may store the metadata (e.g., e.g., Metadata 12208) in a memory and may provide the second UE 2202 a primaryexpression code (e.g., Primary Code 1) associated with the ProSeApplication Name and/or the metadata (e.g., Metadata 1 2208). The secondUE 2202 may transmit a message 2210 that includes the primary expressioncode (e.g., Primary Code 1).

As shown in FIG. 22, the second UE 2202 may no longer remain stationaryand may move along exemplary path 2226 to a second location (indicatedas “Loc 2”). The second UE 2202 may determine the location of second UE2202 and may send an update message 2212 that includes the ProSeApplication Name and/or updated metadata (e.g., Metadata 2 2214). In anaspect, the updated metadata may include information for identifying asecondary expression code (e.g., Secondary Code 1) that includes thecurrent location (e.g., “Loc 2”) of the moving second UE 2202. The ProSeFunction/ENS 2204 may store the updated metadata (e.g., e.g., Metadata 22214) in a memory and may provide the second UE 2202 a second primaryexpression code (e.g., Primary Code 2) associated with the ProSeApplication Name and/or the updated metadata (e.g., Metadata 2 2214).The second UE 2202 may transmit a message 2216 that includes the secondprimary expression code (e.g., Primary Code 2) and a message 2218 thatincludes the secondary expression code (e.g., Secondary Code 1).

As shown in FIG. 22, the second UE 2202 may continue moving alongexemplary path 2228 and may arrive at a third location (indicated as“Loc 3” in FIG. 22) and may remain stationary at the third location. Thesecond UE 2202 may determine the location of second UE 2202 and may sendan update message 2220 that includes a ProSe Application Name and/orupdated metadata (e.g., Metadata 3 2222). In an aspect, the updatedmetadata (e.g., Metadata 3 2222) may include the stationary locationinformation (e.g., “Loc 3”) of the second UE 2202. For example, thestationary location information may be geographic coordinates (e.g., GPScoordinates or GPS data) indicating the location of the second UE 2202remaining stationary at the third location. The ProSe Function/ENS 2204may store the updated metadata (e.g., e.g., Metadata 3 2222) in a memoryand may provide the second UE 2202 a third primary expression code(e.g., Primary Code 3) associated with the ProSe Application Name and/orthe updated metadata (e.g., Metadata 3 2222). The second UE 2202 maytransmit a message 2224 that includes the third primary expression code(e.g., Primary Code 3).

FIG. 23 is a diagram 2300 illustrating a communication flow inaccordance with various aspects of the disclosure. It should beunderstood that the transmissions indicated with dotted lines in FIG. 23represent optional transmissions for illustrating various aspects of thedisclosure. In an aspect, the first UE 2301, second UE 2302, and theProSe Function/ENS 2304 in FIG. 23 may respectively correspond to thefirst UE 2201, second UE 2202, and the ProSe Function/ENS 2204 in FIG.22.

As shown in FIG. 23, a second UE 2302 remains stationary 2308 at a firstlocation (e.g., “Loc 1”). The second UE 2302 may determine the locationof the second UE 2302 and may send an Announce Request message 2310 thatincludes a ProSe Application Name (e.g., Expr1) and metadata (e.g.,Metadata 1) associated with the ProSe Application Name. For example, thesecond UE 2302 may determine the location of second UE 2302 by receivingGPS data from a satellite or by receiving location information from anetwork (e.g., via WiFi™ network scanning) In an aspect, the Metadata 1may include the stationary location information (e.g., “Loc 1”) of thesecond UE 2202. For example, the stationary location information may begeographic coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates or GPS data) indicatingthe location of the stationary second UE 2302. For example, the ProSeApplication Name may be a description of an application that is to beannounced by the second UE 2302, where the description is used by one ormore monitoring UEs (e.g., first UE 2301) to determine whether theapplication of the second UE 2302 is of interest to the one or moremonitoring UEs. The ProSe Function/ENS 2304 receives the AnnounceRequest message 2310 and may configure the ProSe Application Name (e.g.,Expr1) and the Metadata 1 (or information associated with the Metadata1, such as a metadata ID) into a first expression code (e.g., PrimaryCode 1). For example, and as described supra, an expression code may bea sequence of bits suitable for an over-the-air transmission and may beconfigured to enable one or more monitoring UEs (e.g., first UE 2301) todetermine whether the announcement from the second UE 2302 is ofinterest to the one or more monitoring UEs. As shown in FIG. 23, theProSe Function/ENS 2304 sends a message 2312 that includes the firstprimary expression code (e.g., Primary Code 1) to the second UE 2302.

As shown in FIG. 23, the second UE 2302 announces (e.g., broadcastsover-the-air) message 2314 that includes Primary Code 1. The first UE2301 receives the message 2314 and determines that the Primary Code 1 inmessage 2314 is of interest to the first UE 2301. For example, the firstUE 2301 may make the determination based on one or more criteriaconfigured by a user of the first UE 2301. The first UE 2301 sends aMatch Report message 2318 that includes the Primary Code 1 to the ProSeFunction/ENS 2304. The ProSe Function/ENS 2304 matches the Primary Code1 to the ProSe Application Name and the Metadata 1. The ProSeFunction/ENS 2104 then sends a message 2320 that includes the ProSeApplication Name and Metadata 1. The first UE 2301 receives the message2320 and determines the stationary location (e.g., “Loc 1”) of thesecond UE 2302 based on Metadata 1. As shown in FIG. 23, the second UE2302 may no longer remain stationary and may begin moving 2316 to asecond location (e.g., “Loc 2”). The second UE 2302 may determine thelocation (e.g., “Loc 2”) of the second UE 2302 when the second UE 2302has moved from the stationary location (e.g., “Loc 1”). For example, thesecond UE 2302 may determine the location of second UE 2302 by receivingGPS data from a satellite or by receiving location information from anetwork.

In an aspect, when the second UE 2302 has started moving 2316, thesecond UE 2302 may transmit a message 2334 that includes a secondaryexpression code (e.g., Secondary Code 1). For example, the secondaryexpression code may be a sequence of bits suitable for an over-the-airtransmission (e.g., broadcast) to one or more monitoring UEs. Thesecondary expression code may further enable a monitoring UE (e.g., thefirst UE 2301) to determine the current location of the second UE 2302when the second UE 2302 has started moving 2316. In an aspect, thesecondary expression code may have two components. For example, thefirst component may be information (also referred to as a “dependentcode”) that links the secondary expression code to a primary expressioncode (e.g., Primary Code 1 or Primary Code 2 in FIG. 23), and the secondcomponent may include information representing the current location(e.g., “Loc 2”) of the moving second UE 2302. In an aspect, the secondUE 2302 may acquire the dependent code by sending a PAI to the ProSeFunction/ENS 2304. In such aspect, the ProSe Function/ENS 2034 maygenerate and assign the dependent code using the PAI, and may send thedependent code to the second UE 2302. In another aspect, the dependentcode may be the output of a private expression code passed through ahash function. In another aspect, the second UE 2302 may acquire thedependent code by sending a private expression name (e.g., RestrictedProSe Application User ID) to the ProSe Function/ENS 2304. In suchaspect, the ProSe Function/ENS 2304 may generate and assign thedependent code using the private expression name, and may send thedependent code to the second UE 2302. In another aspect, the second UE2302 may request the dependent code from the ProSe Function/ENS 2034 andmay receive the dependent code from the ProSe Function/ENS 2034 inresponse to the request. Therefore, it should be understood that thedependent code may be generated independently by the second UE 2302 oracquired via communication with a network device, such as a ProSeFunction (e.g., ProSe Function/ENS 2304) or other application server(e.g., third-party social network).

The second UE 2302 may communicate the dependent code to a monitoring UE(e.g., the first UE 2301) in different ways. In one aspect, withreference to FIG. 23, the second UE 2302 may include the dependent codein Metadata 1 that is sent in Announce Request message 2310. In suchaspect, the first UE 2301 receives Metadata 1 in the message 2320 anddetermines the dependent code using Metadata 1. The first UE 2301 thenuses the dependent code to identify and/or decode the Secondary Code 1in message 2334. In an aspect, the second UE 2302 may transmit a primaryexpression code (e.g., Primary Code 1 or Primary Code 2) when the secondUE 2302 has started moving and may set a flag in the primary expressioncode that indicates to a monitoring UE (e.g., first UE 2301) that thesecond UE 2302 has started moving. Upon detecting Primary Code 2 or theflag in the Primary Code 1 or Primary Code 2, the first UE 2301 maymonitor for a secondary expression code (e.g., Secondary Code 1) usingthe dependent code acquired previously in order to determine the currentlocation of the moving second UE 2302.

In another aspect, the second UE 2302 may communicate the dependent codeto a monitoring UE (e.g., the first UE 2301) by including the dependentcode in the bits of a primary expression code (e.g., Primary Code 1, 2,and/or 3 in FIG. 23). In such aspect, the first UE 2301 may use thedependent code to identify and/or decode any secondary expression codesthat include the current location of the moving second UE 2302.

In another aspect, the second UE 2302 may generate the dependent codebased on the bits of a primary expression code. For example, the secondUE 2302 may apply a hash function to the bits of a primary expressioncode (e.g., Primary Code 1), where the output of the hash functionrepresents the dependent code. In such example, a monitoring UE (e.g.,the first UE 2301) may receive the bits of the primary expression codeand may apply the same hash function on the bits of the primaryexpression code to determine the dependent code.

In another aspect, with reference to FIG. 23, the second UE 2302 maysend an update message 2322 that includes the ProSe Application Name(e.g., Expr1) and updated metadata (e.g., Metadata 2), where the updatedmetadata includes the dependent code. In such aspect, the ProSeFunction/ENS 2304 may store Metadata 2 in a memory and may configure theProSe Application Name (e.g., Expr1) and the Metadata 2 (or informationassociated with the Metadata 2, such as a metadata ID) into a secondprimary expression code (e.g., Primary Code 2). As shown in FIG. 23, theProSe Function/ENS 2304 may send a message 2324 that includes the secondprimary expression code (e.g., Primary Code 2) to the second UE 2302. Asfurther shown in FIG. 23, the second UE 2302 announces (e.g., broadcastsover-the-air) message 2326 that includes a Primary Code 2.

As shown in FIG. 23, the first UE 2301 receives the message 2326 anddetermines that the Primary Code 2 in message 2326 is of interest to thefirst UE 2301. For example, the first UE 2301 may make the determinationbased on one or more criteria configured by a user of the first UE 2301.As shown in FIG. 23, in one aspect, the first UE 2301 may send a MatchReport message 2330 that includes the Primary Code 2 to the ProSeFunction/ENS 2304. The ProSe Function/ENS 2304 may match the PrimaryCode 2 to the ProSe Application Name (e.g., Expr1) and the updatedmetadata (e.g., Metadata 2). The ProSe Function/ENS 2104 may send amessage 2332 that includes the ProSe Application Name and Metadata 2.The first UE 2301 may receive Metadata 2 via message 2332 and maydetermine the dependent code included in Metadata 2. The first UE 2301may use the dependent code to identify and/or decode Secondary Code 1 inmessage 2334 in order to determine the current location (e.g., “Loc 2”)of the moving second UE 2302 included in the Secondary Code 1.

With respect to the aspects described supra, after the second UE 2302acquires location information indicating the current location (e.g.,“Loc 2”) of the second UE 2302 and further acquires the dependent code,the second UE 2302 may compress the location information to generate thesecond component of the secondary expression code (e.g., Secondary Code1). Therefore, after acquiring the first and second components of thesecondary expression code, the second UE 2302 may generate the secondaryexpression code without additional communication with a network device(e.g., ProSe Function/ENS 2304). In an aspect, the second UE 2302 maycompress the location information using a modem or other hardware of thesecond UE 2302 in order to reduce power consumption in the second UE2302. In other aspects, if the second UE 2302 is not power constrained,the second UE 2302 may communicate with a network device (e.g., ProSeFunction/ENS 2304 or a location server) to obtain new locationinformation from the network device.

With further respect to the aspects described supra, after the first UE2301 receives the secondary expression code (e.g., Secondary Code 1),the first UE 2301 may determine the location information from thesecondary expression code. For example, the first UE 2301 may extractlocation information (e.g., compressed data bits) representing thecurrent location of the second UE 2302 from the second component of thesecondary expression code. The first UE 2301 may then decode thelocation information to determine the current location of the second UE2302. Such extraction and decoding of the location information may beperformed by the first UE 2301 using a modem or other hardware of thefirst UE 2301. Therefore, the first UE 2301 may extract and decode thelocation information to determine the current location of the second UE2302 without additional communication with a network device (e.g., ProSeFunction/ENS 2304). In other aspects, if the first UE 2301 is not powerconstrained, the first UE 2301 may provide the location informationextracted from the secondary expression code to a network device (e.g.,ProSe Function/ENS 2304 or location server), which may decode thelocation information and provide the decoded location information to thefirst UE 2301.

As shown in FIG. 23, the second UE 2302 remains stationary 2336 at athird location (e.g., “Loc 3”). The second UE 2302 may determine thelocation of second UE 2302 and may send an update message 2338 thatincludes a ProSe Application Name (e.g., Expr1) and updated metadata(e.g., Metadata 3) associated with the ProSe Application Name. In anaspect, Metadata 3 may include the stationary location information(e.g., “Loc 3”) of the second UE 2302. For example, the stationarylocation information may be geographic coordinates (e.g., GPScoordinates or GPS data) indicating the location of the stationarysecond UE 2302. The ProSe Function/ENS 2304 receives the update message2338 and may configure the ProSe Application Name (e.g., Expr1) andMetadata 3 (or information associated with the Metadata 3, such as ametadata ID) into a third primary expression code (e.g., Primary Code3). For example, the third primary expression code may be a sequence ofbits suitable for an over-the-air transmission and may be configured toenable one or more monitoring UEs (e.g., first UE 2301) to determinewhether the announcement from the second UE 2302 is of interest to theone or more monitoring UEs. As shown in FIG. 23, the ProSe Function/ENS2304 sends a message 2340 that includes the third primary expressioncode (e.g., Primary Code 3) to the second UE 2302.

As shown in FIG. 23, the second UE 2302 announces (e.g., broadcastsover-the-air) message 2342 that includes Primary Code 3. The first UE2301 receives the message 2342 and determines that the Primary Code 3 inmessage 2342 is of interest to the first UE 2301. For example, the firstUE 2301 may make the determination based on one or more criteriaconfigured by a user of the first UE 2301. The first UE 2301 sends aMatch Report message 2344 that includes the Primary Code 3 to the ProSeFunction/ENS 2304. The ProSe Function/ENS 2304 matches the Primary Code3 to the ProSe Application Name and the Metadata 3. The ProSeFunction/ENS 2104 then sends a message 2346 that includes the ProSeApplication Name and Metadata 3. The first UE 2301 receives the message2346 and determines the stationary location (e.g., “Loc 3”) of thesecond UE 2302 based on Metadata 3.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart 2400 of a method of communication. The methodmay be performed by a network device (e.g., the ProSe Function 1012,1112, 1212, the apparatus 3002/3002′). It should be understood that thesteps represented with dotted lines in FIG. 24 represent optional steps.

At step 2402, the network device receives, from a first UE, a requestfor information associated with a discovered second UE, the informationincluding location information associated with the second UE. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 10, the ProSe Function 1012 receivesmessage 1016 from UE_B 1004 including a request for location informationassociated with UE_A 1002. In an aspect, the request for the locationinformation is received in a match report message from the first UE.

At step 2404, the network device determines whether the first UE isauthorized to receive the location information.

At step 2406, the network device sends a message configured to initiatereporting of the location information by the second UE based on thedetermination. For example, with reference to FIG. 10, the ProSeFunction 1012 initiates the reporting by sending a request 1018 to thelocation server 1014 for the requested location information. In anaspect, the location server 1014 may send a message 1020 to the UE_A1002 using LTE protocols requesting the location information. As anotherexample, with reference to FIG. 11, the ProSe Function 1112 initiatesthe reporting by sending a message 1116 to the UE_A 1102 using LTEprotocols requesting the UE_A 1102 to update its metadata with currentlocation information.

At step 2408, the network device receives the location information froma second network device or from the second UE. In an aspect, thelocation information received from the second UE is included in metadataassociated with the second UE.

At step 2410, the network device sends the location information to thefirst UE. In an aspect, the location information is sent to the first UEin a match report acknowledgment message.

Finally, at step 2412, the network device sends, to the first UE, amessage including a location-carrying code to be announced by the secondUE along with the location information, or a security key to enabledetermination of the location information to be announced by the secondUE. For example, if the location information announced by the second UEis encrypted using the security key, the security key may be used todecrypt the encrypted location information announced by the second UE.As another example, the security key may be used to perform the inverseof the cryptographic function applied to the location informationannounced by the second UE to enable determination of the locationinformation.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart 2500 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a first UE (e.g., UE_B 1004, 1104, 1204, theapparatus 3202/3202′). It should be understood that the stepsrepresented with dotted lines in FIG. 25 represent optional steps.

At step 2502, the UE discovers a second UE through a ProSe discovery,BTLE discovery, or WFA NAN discovery.

At step 2504, the UE sends, to a network device, a request for locationinformation associated with the second UE. In an aspect, the request forthe location information is sent to the network device in a match reportmessage. In an aspect, the network device is a ProSe server configuredto support ProSe Functions.

At step 2506, the UE receives, from the network device, a messageincluding a location-carrying code to be announced by the second UEalong with the location information. In an aspect, the locationinformation is received from the second UE in a broadcast message.

At step 2508, the UE processes the broadcast message using thelocation-carrying code to obtain the location information.

At step 2510, the UE receives, from the network device, a messageincluding the security key to enable determination of the locationinformation to be announced by the second UE.

At step 2512, the UE processes the broadcast message using the securitykey. For example, if the location information announced by the second UEis encrypted using the security key, the UE may use the security key todecrypt the encrypted location information announced by the second UE.As another example, the UE may use the security key to perform theinverse of the cryptographic function applied to the locationinformation announced by the second UE to determine the locationinformation.

At step 2514, the UE receives the location information when the UE isauthorized to receive the location information. In an aspect, thelocation information is received from the network device in a matchreport acknowledgment message.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart 2602 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a first UE (e.g., UE_B 1004, 1104, 1204, theapparatus 3202/3202′).

At step 2602, the first UE receives, from a second UE, a first signalincluding a first expression code associated with the second UE.

At step 2604, the first UE determines at least a second expression codeusing the first expression code, the at least a second expression codeassociated with the second UE. In an aspect, the first UE determines theat least a second expression code by receiving, from the second UE, asecond signal including a first prefix and the at least a secondexpression code, applying a function to the first expression code togenerate a second prefix, comparing the second prefix to the firstprefix, determining the at least a second expression code in the secondsignal when the second prefix matches the first prefix. In an aspect,the first UE determines the at least a second expression code by sendingthe first expression code to a network device, and receiving the atleast a second expression code associated with the second UE from thenetwork device. For example, with reference to FIG. 18A, the firstexpression code may be code 1 1808, the first prefix may be prefix 1812,and the second expression code may be code 2 1814. In an aspect, thefirst signal including the first expression code is received in a firstdiscovery resource and the second signal comprising the at least asecond expression code is received in a second discovery resource,wherein the first discovery resource is independent of the seconddiscovery resource. In an aspect, the function is a hash function. In anaspect, the first expression code is sent to the network device in amatch report message. In an aspect, the network device is a ProSeFunction. In an aspect, the first expression code or the at least asecond expression code corresponds to a service of the second UE or anapplication of the second UE.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart 2700 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a network device (e.g., the ProSe Functions1012, 1112, 1212, the apparatus 3002/3002′). It should be understoodthat the steps represented with dotted lines in FIG. 27 representoptional steps.

At step 2702, the network device receives a first expression code from afirst UE, the first expression code associated with a second UE. In anaspect, the network device is a ProSe Function. In an aspect, the firstexpression code is received in a match report message from the first UE.

At step 2704, the network device identifies at least a second expressioncode using the first expression code, the at least a second expressioncode associated with the second UE.

At step 2706, the network device sends, to the first UE, the at least asecond expression code associated with the second UE.

At step 2708, the network device determines metadata associated with thefirst expression code.

At step 2710, the network device sends the determined metadata to thefirst UE.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart 2800 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by an announcing UE (e.g., second UE 1702,second UE 1802, second UE 1902, second UE 2202, second UE 2302, theapparatus 3402/3402′). It should be understood that the stepsrepresented with dotted lines in FIG. 28 represent optional steps.

At step 2802, the announcing UE determines a first location of theannouncing UE when the announcing UE is stationary.

At step 2804, the announcing UE transmits a first signal comprising afirst expression code, the first expression code associated with firstmetadata stored in a server, the first metadata indicating the firstlocation. For example, with reference to FIG. 23, the second UE 2302 maytransmit message 2314 that includes Primary Code 1.

At step 2806, the announcing UE determines a second location of theannouncing UE when the announcing UE is moving.

At step 2808, the announcing UE updates the first metadata stored in theserver with second metadata. For example, with reference to FIG. 23, thesecond UE 2302 may send update message 2322 that includes updatedmetadata (e.g., Metadata 2).

At step 2810, the announcing UE transmits a second signal comprising asecond expression code, the second expression code associated with thesecond metadata. For example, with reference to FIG. 23, the second UE2302 may transmit message 2326 that includes Primary Code 2.

At step 2812, the announcing UE transmits a third signal comprising athird expression code, the third expression code indicating the secondlocation, wherein the second metadata is configured to enable decodingof the third expression code. For example, with reference to FIG. 23,the second UE 2302 may transmit a message (e.g., message 2334) thatincludes Secondary Code 1.

At step 2814, the announcing UE determines a third location of theannouncing UE when the announcing UE is no longer moving.

At step 2816, the announcing UE updates the second metadata stored inthe server with third metadata, the third metadata indicating the thirdlocation. For example, with reference to FIG. 23, the second UE 2302 maytransmit update message 2338 that includes updated metadata (e.g.,Metadata 3).

At step 2818, the announcing UE transmits a fourth signal comprising afourth expression code, the fourth expression code associated with thethird metadata. For example, with reference to FIG. 23, the second UE2302 may transmit message 2342 that includes Primary Code 3.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart 2900 of a method of wireless communication. Themethod may be performed by a first UE (e.g., first UE 1704, first UE1804, first UE 1904, first UE 2201, first UE 2301, the apparatus3202/3202′). It should be understood that the steps represented withdotted lines in FIG. 29 represent optional steps.

At step 2902, the first UE receives, from a second UE, a first signalincluding a first expression code associated with the second UE. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 23, the first UE 2301 may receive amessage 2326 that includes Primary Code 2.

At step 2904, the first UE determines first metadata associated with thefirst expression code. For example, with reference to FIG. 23, the firstUE 2301 may determine Metadata 2 by performing a match report operationbased on Primary Code 2.

At step 2906, the first UE monitors for a second signal from the secondUE based on the first metadata, the second signal comprising a secondexpression code that includes a first location of the second UE. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 23, the first UE 2301 may monitor forthe Secondary Code 1 in message 2334 based on information included inMetadata 2.

At step 2908, the first UE determines the first location of the secondUE from the second expression code using the first metadata. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 23, the first UE 2301 may decodeSecondary Code 1 using Metadata 2 to determine geographic coordinatesincluded in Secondary Code 1.

At step 2910, the first UE receives, from the second UE, a third signalcomprising a third expression code associated with the second UE. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 23, the first UE 2301 may receive amessage that includes Primary Code 3.

At step 2912, the first UE determines second metadata associated withthe third expression code. For example, with reference to FIG. 23, thefirst UE 2301 determine Metadata 3 by performing a match reportoperation based on Primary Code 3.

At step 2914, the first UE determines a second location of the second UEfrom the third expression code. For example, with reference to FIG. 23,the first UE 2301 may determine geographic coordinates included inMetadata 3.

FIG. 30 is a conceptual data flow diagram 3000 illustrating the dataflow between different modules/means/components in an exemplaryapparatus 3002. The apparatus may be a network device (e.g., ProSeFunction 1012, 1112, 1212, ProSe Function/ENS 2004, 2104). The apparatusincludes a receiving module 3004 that receives, from a second UE (e.g.,second UE 3060), a message including metadata. The receiving module 3004further receives a metadata update message from the second UE, themetadata update message including updated metadata. The receiving module3004 further receives, from a first UE (e.g., first UE 3050), a requestfor information associated with a discovered second UE (e.g., second UE3060), the information including location information associated withthe second UE. The receiving module 3004 further receives the locationinformation from a second network device (e.g., location server 3070) orfrom the second UE. The receiving module 3004 further receives a firstexpression code from a first UE, the first expression code associatedwith a second UE. The apparatus includes authorization determiningmodule 3006 that determines whether the first UE is authorized toreceive the location information. The apparatus includes a locationinformation reporting initiation module 3008 that sends (viatransmission module 3016) a message configured to initiate reporting ofthe location information by the second UE based on the determination andsends the location information to the first UE. The apparatus furtherincludes a message configuring module 3010 that sends (via transmissionmodule 3016), to the first UE, a message including a location-carryingcode to be announced by the second UE along with the locationinformation, or a security key to enable determination of the locationinformation to be announced by the second UE. The apparatus furtherincludes an expression code identifying module 3012 that identifies atleast a second expression code using the first expression code, the atleast a second expression code associated with the second UE. Theapparatus further includes metadata determining module 3014 thatdetermines metadata associated with the first expression code. Theapparatus further includes transmission module 3016 that sends, to thefirst UE, the at least a second expression code associated with thesecond UE. The transmission module 3016 further sends the determinedmetadata to the first UE.

The apparatus may include additional modules that perform each of thesteps of the algorithm in the aforementioned flow charts of FIGS. 24 and27. As such, each step in the aforementioned flow charts of FIGS. 24 and27 may be performed by a module and the apparatus may include one ormore of those modules. The modules may be one or more hardwarecomponents specifically configured to carry out the statedprocesses/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to performthe stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable mediumfor implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 31 is a diagram 3100 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 3002′ employing a processing system3114. The processing system 3114 may be implemented with a busarchitecture, represented generally by the bus 3124. The bus 3124 mayinclude any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on thespecific application of the processing system 3114 and the overalldesign constraints. The bus 3124 links together various circuitsincluding one or more processors and/or hardware modules, represented bythe processor 3104, the modules 3004, 3006, 3008, 3010, 3012, 3014, and3016, and the computer-readable medium/memory 3106. The bus 3124 mayalso link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals,voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well knownin the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system 3114 may be coupled to a transceiver 3110. Thetransceiver 3110 is coupled to one or more antennas 3120. Thetransceiver 3110 provides a means for communicating with various otherapparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 3110 receives asignal from the one or more antennas 3120, extracts information from thereceived signal, and provides the extracted information to theprocessing system 3114, specifically the reception module 2604. Inaddition, the transceiver 3110 receives information from the processingsystem 3114, specifically the transmission module 1512, and based on thereceived information, generates a signal to be applied to the one ormore antennas 3120. The processing system 3114 includes a processor 3104coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory 3106. The processor 3104 isresponsible for general processing, including the execution of softwarestored on the computer-readable medium/memory 3106. The software, whenexecuted by the processor 3104, causes the processing system 3114 toperform the various functions described supra for any particularapparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory 3106 may also be used forstoring data that is manipulated by the processor 3104 when executingsoftware. The processing system further includes at least one of themodules 3004, 3006, 3008, 3010, 3012, 3014, and 3016. The modules may besoftware modules running in the processor 3104, resident/stored in thecomputer readable medium/memory 3106, one or more hardware modulescoupled to the processor 3104, or some combination thereof. Theprocessing system 3114 may be a component of the eNB 610 and may includethe memory 676 and/or at least one of the TX processor 616, the RXprocessor 670, and the controller/processor 675.

In one configuration, the apparatus 3002/3002′ for wirelesscommunication includes means for receiving a first expression code froma first UE, the first expression code associated with a second UE, meansfor identifying at least a second expression code using the firstexpression code, the at least a second expression code associated withthe second UE, means for sending, to the first UE, the at least a secondexpression code associated with the second UE, means for receiving, froma first UE, a request for location information associated with a secondUE, means for determining whether the first UE is authorized to receivethe location information, means for sending a message configured toinitiate reporting of the location information by the second UE based onthe determination, means for receiving the location information from asecond network device or from the second UE, means for sending thelocation information to the first UE, means for sending, to the firstUE, a message comprising a location-carrying code to be announced by thesecond UE along with the location information, or a security key toenable deciphering of the location information to be announced by thesecond UE, means for determining metadata associated with the firstexpression code, and means for sending the determined metadata to thefirst UE. The aforementioned means may be one or more of theaforementioned modules of the apparatus 3002 and/or the processingsystem 3114 of the apparatus 3002′ configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the processingsystem 3114 may include the TX Processor 616, the RX Processor 670, andthe controller/processor 675. As such, in one configuration, theaforementioned means may be the TX Processor 616, the RX Processor 670,and the controller/processor 675 configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means.

FIG. 32 is a conceptual data flow diagram 3200 illustrating the dataflow between different modules/means/components in an exemplaryapparatus 3202. The apparatus may be a first UE (e.g., UE_B 1004, 1104,1204, 2106, 2301). The apparatus includes receiving module 3204 thatreceives, from a network device (e.g., ProSe Function 3260), a messageincluding a location-carrying code to be announced by a second UE (e.g.,second UE 3250) along with the location information. The receivingmodule 3204 further receives, from the network device, a messageincluding a security key to enable determination of the locationinformation to be announced by the second UE. The receiving module 3204further receives the location information when authorized to receive thelocation information. The receiving module 3204 further receives, from asecond UE, a first signal including a first expression code associatedwith the second UE. The receiving module 3204 further receives, from asecond UE, a first signal comprising a first expression code associatedwith the second UE. The receiving module 3204 further receives, from thesecond UE, a third signal comprising a third expression code associatedwith the second UE. The apparatus further includes an expressiondetermining module 3206 that determines at least a second expressioncode using the first expression code, the at least a second expressioncode associated with the second UE. The apparatus further includes adiscovery module 3210 that discovers the second UE through a ProSediscovery, BTLE discovery, or WFA NAN discovery. The apparatus furtherincludes a location information requesting module 3212 that sends (viatransmission module 3222), to the network device, a request for locationinformation associated with the second UE. The apparatus includes amessage processing module 3214 that processes the broadcast messageusing the location-carrying code or using the security key. Theapparatus further includes a metadata determining module 3216 thatdetermines first metadata associated with the first expression code anddetermines second metadata associated with the third expression code.The apparatus further includes a monitoring module 3218 that monitorsfor a second signal from the second UE based on the first metadata, thesecond signal containing a second expression code that includes a firstlocation of the second UE. The apparatus further includes a locationdetermining module 3220 that determines the first location of the secondUE from the second expression code using the first metadata and thatdetermines a second location of the second UE from the second metadata.

The apparatus may include additional modules that perform each of thesteps of the algorithm in the aforementioned flow charts of FIGS. 25,26, and 29. As such, each step in the aforementioned flow charts ofFIGS. 25, 26, and 29 may be performed by a module and the apparatus mayinclude one or more of those modules. The modules may be one or morehardware components specifically configured to carry out the statedprocesses/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to performthe stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable mediumfor implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

FIG. 33 is a diagram 3300 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 3202′ employing a processing system3314. The processing system 3314 may be implemented with a busarchitecture, represented generally by the bus 3324. The bus 3324 mayinclude any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on thespecific application of the processing system 3314 and the overalldesign constraints. The bus 3324 links together various circuitsincluding one or more processors and/or hardware modules, represented bythe processor 3304, the modules 3204, 3206, 3210, 3212, 3214, 3216,3218, 3220, 3222, and the computer-readable medium/memory 3306. The bus3324 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources,peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, whichare well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described anyfurther.

The processing system 3314 may be coupled to a transceiver 3310. Thetransceiver 3310 is coupled to one or more antennas 3320. Thetransceiver 3310 provides a means for communicating with various otherapparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 3310 receives asignal from the one or more antennas 3320, extracts information from thereceived signal, and provides the extracted information to theprocessing system 3314, specifically the reception module 3204. Inaddition, the transceiver 3310 receives information from the processingsystem 3314, specifically the transmission module 3222, and based on thereceived information, generates a signal to be applied to the one ormore antennas 3320. The processing system 3314 includes a processor 3304coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory 3306. The processor 3304 isresponsible for general processing, including the execution of softwarestored on the computer-readable medium/memory 3306. The software, whenexecuted by the processor 3304, causes the processing system 3314 toperform the various functions described supra for any particularapparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory 3306 may also be used forstoring data that is manipulated by the processor 3304 when executingsoftware. The processing system further includes at least one of themodules 3204, 3206, 3210, 3212, 3214, 3216, 3218, 3220, 3222. Themodules may be software modules running in the processor 3304,resident/stored in the computer readable medium/memory 3306, one or morehardware modules coupled to the processor 3304, or some combinationthereof. The processing system 3314 may be a component of the UE 650 andmay include the memory 660 and/or at least one of the TX processor 668,the RX processor 656, and the controller/processor 659.

In one configuration, the apparatus 3202/3202′ for wirelesscommunication includes means for receiving, from a second UE, a firstsignal comprising a first expression code associated with the second UE,means for determining at least a second expression code using the firstexpression code, the at least a second expression code associated withthe second UE, means for discovering a second UE through a ProSediscovery, BTLE discovery, or WFA NAN discovery, means for sending, to anetwork device, a request for location information associated with thesecond UE, means for receiving the location information when the firstUE is authorized to receive the location information, means forreceiving, from the network device, a message comprising alocation-carrying code to be announced by the second UE along with thelocation information, means for processing the broadcast message usingthe location-carrying code, means for receiving, from the networkdevice, a message comprising the security key to enable deciphering ofthe location information to be announced by the second UE, means forprocessing the broadcast message using the security key, means forreceiving, from a second UE, a first signal comprising a firstexpression code associated with the second UE, means for determiningfirst metadata associated with the first expression code, means formonitoring for a second signal from the second UE based on the firstmetadata, the second signal comprising a second expression code thatincludes a first location of the second UE, means for determining thefirst location of the second UE from the second expression code usingthe first metadata, means for receiving, from the second UE, a thirdsignal comprising a third expression code associated with the second UE,means for determining second metadata associated with the thirdexpression code, means for determining a second location of the secondUE from the second metadata.

The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementionedmodules of the apparatus 3202 and/or the processing system 3314 of theapparatus 3202′ configured to perform the functions recited by theaforementioned means. As described supra, the processing system 3314 mayinclude the TX Processor 668, the RX Processor 656, and thecontroller/processor 659. As such, in one configuration, theaforementioned means may be the TX Processor 668, the RX Processor 656,and the controller/processor 659 configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means.

FIG. 34 is a conceptual data flow diagram 3400 illustrating the dataflow between different modules/means/components in an exemplaryapparatus 3402. The apparatus may be an announcing UE (e.g., second UE1702, 1802, 1902, 2102, 2202, 2302). The apparatus includes a module3404 that receives transmissions from a network device (e.g., networkdevice 3460), a module 3406 that determines a first location of theannouncing UE when the announcing UE is stationary, determines a secondlocation of the announcing UE when the announcing UE is moving, anddetermines a third location of the announcing UE when the announcing UEis no longer moving. A module 3408 that updates the first metadatastored in the server with second metadata, and that updates the secondmetadata stored in the server with third metadata, the third metadataindicating the third location. A module 3410 that transmits a firstsignal comprising a first expression code, the first expression codeassociated with first metadata stored in a server, the first metadataindicating the first location, transmits a second signal comprising asecond expression code, the second expression code associated with thesecond metadata, transmits a third signal comprising a third expressioncode, the third expression code indicating the second location, wherethe second metadata is configured to enable decoding of the thirdexpression code, transmits a fourth signal comprising a fourthexpression code, the fourth expression code associated with the thirdmetadata.

The apparatus may include additional modules that perform each of theblocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned flow chart of FIG. 28. Assuch, each block in the aforementioned flow chart of FIG. 28 may beperformed by a module and the apparatus may include one or more of thosemodules. The modules may be one or more hardware components specificallyconfigured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by aprocessor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, storedwithin a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, orsome combination thereof.

FIG. 35 is a diagram 3500 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 3402′ employing a processing system3514. The processing system 3514 may be implemented with a busarchitecture, represented generally by the bus 3524. The bus 3524 mayinclude any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on thespecific application of the processing system 3514 and the overalldesign constraints. The bus 3524 links together various circuitsincluding one or more processors and/or hardware modules, represented bythe processor 3504, the modules 3404, 3406, 3408, 3410, and 3412, andthe computer-readable medium/memory 3506. The bus 3524 may also linkvarious other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltageregulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in theart, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system 3514 may be coupled to a transceiver 3510. Thetransceiver 3510 is coupled to one or more antennas 3520. Thetransceiver 3510 provides a means for communicating with various otherapparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 3510 receives asignal from the one or more antennas 3520, extracts information from thereceived signal, and provides the extracted information to theprocessing system 3514, specifically the reception module 3404. Inaddition, the transceiver 3510 receives information from the processingsystem 3514, specifically the transmission module 3412, and based on thereceived information, generates a signal to be applied to the one ormore antennas 3520. The processing system 3514 includes a processor 3504coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory 3506. The processor 3504 isresponsible for general processing, including the execution of softwarestored on the computer-readable medium/memory 3506. The software, whenexecuted by the processor 3504, causes the processing system 3514 toperform the various functions described supra for any particularapparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory 3506 may also be used forstoring data that is manipulated by the processor 3504 when executingsoftware. The processing system further includes at least one of themodules 3404, 3406, 3408, 3410, and 3412. The modules may be softwaremodules running in the processor 3504, resident/stored in the computerreadable medium/memory 3506, one or more hardware modules coupled to theprocessor 3504, or some combination thereof. The processing system 3514may be a component of the UE 650 and may include the memory 660 and/orat least one of the TX processor 668, the RX processor 656, and thecontroller/processor 659.

In one configuration, the apparatus 3402/3402′ for wirelesscommunication includes means for means for transmitting a first locationof the announcing UE when the announcing UE is stationary, means fortransmitting a first signal comprising a first expression code, thefirst expression code associated with first metadata stored in a server,the first metadata indicating the first location, means for determininga second location of the announcing UE when the announcing UE is moving,means for updating the first metadata stored in the server with secondmetadata, means for transmitting a second signal comprising a secondexpression code, the second expression code associated with the secondmetadata, means for broadcasting a third signal comprising a thirdexpression code, the third expression code indicating the secondlocation, wherein the second metadata is configured to enable decodingof the third expression code, means for determining a third location ofthe announcing UE when the announcing UE is no longer moving, means forupdating the second metadata stored in the server with third metadata,the third metadata indicating the third location, and means fortransmitting a fourth signal comprising a fourth expression code, thefourth expression code associated with the third metadata. Theaforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned modules ofthe apparatus 3402 and/or the processing system 3514 of the apparatus3402′ configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementionedmeans. As described supra, the processing system 3514 may include the TXProcessor 668, the RX Processor 656, and the controller/processor 659.As such, in one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TXProcessor 668, the RX Processor 656, and the controller/processor 659configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses/flow charts disclosed is an illustration of exemplaryapproaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that thespecific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes/flow charts may berearranged. Further, some steps may be combined or omitted. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in asample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” The word “exemplary” is used hereinto mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspectdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as“at least one of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B,C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and/orC, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C.Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “atleast one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” maybe A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C,where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members ofA, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements ofthe various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are knownor later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art areexpressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether suchdisclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is tobe construed as a means plus function unless the element is expresslyrecited using the phrase “means for.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of communication for a network devicecomprising: receiving, from a first user equipment (UE), a request forlocation information associated with a discovered second UE, the requestfor location information being a request for a current location of thesecond UE, the location information comprising the current location ofthe second UE including GPS coordinates of the second UE; determiningwhether the first UE is authorized to receive the location information;sending a message configured to initiate reporting of the locationinformation by the second UE based on the determination; and sending amessage to the first UE comprising a location-carrying code to beannounced by the second UE along with the location informationassociated with the second UE, or a security key to enable determinationof the location information to be announced by the second UE, the secondUE being different than the first UE.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe request for the location information is received in a match reportmessage from the first UE.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein saidmessage to the first UE includes the location-carrying code to beannounced by the second UE along with the location informationassociated with the second UE.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein themessage to the first UE includes the security key to enabledetermination of the location information to be announced by the secondUE.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network device is a proximityservices (ProSe) function server.
 6. A method of wireless communicationfor a first user equipment (UE), comprising: discovering a second UEthrough a proximity service (ProSe) discovery, Bluetooth Low-Energy(BTLE) discovery, or Wi-Fi Alliance Neighbor-aware Networking (WFA NAN)discovery; sending, to a network device, a request for locationinformation associated with the second UE, the request for locationinformation being a request for a current location of the second UE, thelocation information including the current location of the second UEincluding GPS coordinates of the second UE; and receiving a message fromthe network device comprising a location-carrying code to be announcedby the second UE along with the location information associated with thesecond UE, or a security key to enable determination of the locationinformation to be announced by the second UE, the second UE beingdifferent than the first UE.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein therequest for the location information is sent to the network device in amatch report message.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:receiving the location information when the first UE is authorized toreceive the location information associated with the second UE.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the location information is received from thesecond UE in a broadcast message, wherein said message from the networkdevice includes the location-carrying code to be announced by the secondUE along with the location information; and wherein the method furthercomprises processing the broadcast message using the location-carryingcode, said processing the broadcast message including using thelocation-carrying code to retrieve the location information associatedwith the second UE.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the locationinformation is received from the second UE in a broadcast message, thelocation information being protected with the security key, wherein saidmessage from the network device includes the security key; and whereinthe method further comprises processing the broadcast message announcedby the second UE using the security key to determine the locationinformation.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein the network device is aproximity services (ProSe) function server.
 12. A network device,comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memoryand configured to: receive, from a first user equipment (UE), a requestfor location information associated with a discovered second UE, therequest for location information being a request for a current locationof the second UE, the location information comprising the currentlocation of the second UE including GPS coordinates of the second UE;determine whether the first UE is authorized to receive the locationinformation; send a message configured to initiate reporting of thelocation information by the second UE based on the determination; andsend a message to the first UE comprising a location-carrying code to beannounced by the second UE along with the location informationassociated with the second UE, or a security key to enable determinationof the location information to be announced by the second UE, the secondUE being different than the first UE.
 13. The network device of claim12, wherein the request for the location information is received in amatch report message from the first UE.
 14. The network device of claim12, wherein said message to the first UE includes the location-carryingcode to be announced by the second UE along with the locationinformation.
 15. The network device of claim 12, wherein the message tothe first UE includes the security key to enable determination of thelocation information to be announced by the second UE.
 16. The networkdevice of claim 14, wherein the network device is a proximity services(ProSe) function server.
 17. A first user equipment (UE), comprising: amemory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configuredto: discover a second UE through a proximity service (ProSe) discovery,Bluetooth Low-Energy (BTLE) discovery, or Wi-Fi Alliance Neighbor-awareNetworking (WFA NAN) discovery; send, to a network device, a request forlocation information associated with the second UE, the request forlocation information being a request for a current location of thesecond UE, the location information including the current location ofthe second UE including GPS coordinates of the second UE; and receive amessage from the network device comprising a location-carrying code tobe announced by the second UE along with the location informationassociated with the second UE, or a security key to enable determinationof the location information to be announced by the second UE, the secondUE being different than the first UE.
 18. The first UE of claim 17,wherein the request for the location information is sent to the networkdevice in a match report message.
 19. The first UE of claim 17, whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to: receive thelocation information when the first UE is authorized to receive thelocation information.
 20. The first UE of claim 19, wherein the locationinformation is received from the second UE in a broadcast message,wherein said message from the network device includes thelocation-carrying code to be announced by the second UE along with thelocation information; and wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to process the broadcast message using the location-carryingcode, processing the broadcast message including using thelocation-carrying code to retrieve the location information associatedwith the second UE.
 21. The first UE of claim 19, wherein the locationinformation is received from the second UE in a broadcast message, thelocation information being protected with the security key, wherein saidmessage from the network device includes the security key; and whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to process thebroadcast message announced by the second UE using the security key todetermine the location information.
 22. The first UE of claim 17,wherein the network device is a proximity services (ProSe) functionserver.